Complete Summary of Social
Psychology: A Comprehensive
Exam Guide
### Person vs. Situation
The fundamental question in social psychology is whether behavior is determined by internal factors
(dispositionism) or external factors (situationism). Modern approaches recognize that both the
individual and the situation interact to influence behavior.
### Fundamental Attribution Error
The tendency to **overestimate the role of personal traits** and **underestimate the power of the
situation** when explaining others' behavior.
*Example:* Assuming someone who cuts you off in traffic is an aggressive person, rather than
considering they might be rushing to the hospital.
, ### Actor-Observer Bias
The tendency to attribute our **own behavior to situational factors** while attributing **others'
behavior to dispositional factors**. This occurs because we have more information about the
circumstances affecting our own behavior.
### Self-Serving Bias
The tendency to take credit for successes (internal attribution) while blaming failures on external
factors. This bias helps protect self-esteem.
---
## Historical Development
### Early Years: 1880s-1920s
- **Norman Triplett** (1898): Published the first social psychology research on bicyclists—found that
bikers performed faster in the presence of others than when alone
- **Max Ringelmann**: Studied rope-pulling—found that individuals performed better alone than in
groups
- First social psychology textbooks published in 1908 and 1924
### WWII Era: 1930s-1950s
Social psychology flourished as the world sought explanations for violence, genocide, conformity, and
obedience:
- **Muzafer Sherif**: Published pioneering research on social influence in 1936
- **Kurt Lewin**: Polish immigrant who developed the interactionist perspective (behavior is the result
of interaction between person and environment)
Psychology: A Comprehensive
Exam Guide
### Person vs. Situation
The fundamental question in social psychology is whether behavior is determined by internal factors
(dispositionism) or external factors (situationism). Modern approaches recognize that both the
individual and the situation interact to influence behavior.
### Fundamental Attribution Error
The tendency to **overestimate the role of personal traits** and **underestimate the power of the
situation** when explaining others' behavior.
*Example:* Assuming someone who cuts you off in traffic is an aggressive person, rather than
considering they might be rushing to the hospital.
, ### Actor-Observer Bias
The tendency to attribute our **own behavior to situational factors** while attributing **others'
behavior to dispositional factors**. This occurs because we have more information about the
circumstances affecting our own behavior.
### Self-Serving Bias
The tendency to take credit for successes (internal attribution) while blaming failures on external
factors. This bias helps protect self-esteem.
---
## Historical Development
### Early Years: 1880s-1920s
- **Norman Triplett** (1898): Published the first social psychology research on bicyclists—found that
bikers performed faster in the presence of others than when alone
- **Max Ringelmann**: Studied rope-pulling—found that individuals performed better alone than in
groups
- First social psychology textbooks published in 1908 and 1924
### WWII Era: 1930s-1950s
Social psychology flourished as the world sought explanations for violence, genocide, conformity, and
obedience:
- **Muzafer Sherif**: Published pioneering research on social influence in 1936
- **Kurt Lewin**: Polish immigrant who developed the interactionist perspective (behavior is the result
of interaction between person and environment)
