In daily life, we are constantly thinking, judging, and forming opinions about people and
situations. Sometimes our thinking is logical, but many times it is influenced by our past
experiences, beliefs, and mental shortcuts. Social psychology helps us understand how these
thought processes work. In this assignment, I will explain some important concepts related to
social beliefs and judgment in a simple way with examples.
Priming
Priming is when something we see or hear affects the way we think or behave, even if we
don’t realize it. It happens automatically in our mind.
For example, if someone reads words related to “old age” like weak, slow, or retired, they
may start walking slowly without noticing it. This shows how our mind can be influenced without
conscious effort.
Belief Perseverance
Belief perseverance means holding onto a belief even when it has been proven wrong. Once
we form an opinion, it becomes difficult to change it.
For example, if a student thinks they are not good at studies, they may continue believing
this even after getting good grades. Their old belief stays strong despite new evidence.
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