PSYC 215 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Stanford Prison Experiment, Philip Zimbardo, Fundamental Attribution Error
Document Summary
Scientific study of the feelings, thoughts and behaviors of individuals in social situations. Separated students into 2 groups: guards and prisoners. Guard started to mistreated prisoners even though they were all students. Good people can do bad things (prison) People do not always recognize the power of the situation. An interpretation of the stimuli or situation people confront. A knowledge structure consisting of an organized body of stored information. People tend to make association naturally from what they know. Eg, prison evokes many other concepts than only the building. A belief that certain attributes are characteristic of members of a particular group. Very quick and based on emotional factors. Give rise to implicit attitudes and beliefs. Not always aware of them but they can influence behaviour. Usually helps us navigate through life without immense amount of stimuli. Traits and behaviours that helps in survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed. Different cultural perspectives can strongly influence social behaviours.