PSYC 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Reciprocal Altruism, Group Polarization, Deindividuation

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 102
• Professor: Sherri Atwood

Document Summary

Cooperation: cooperation: behavior by two or more individuals that leads to mutual benefit. Trustworthiness is key: minimize risk through detecting cheating and responding strongly. Groups and favoritism: group: collection of people who have something in common that distinguishes them from others. Study: people were more likely to misperceive a tool as a gun when preceded by an african-american face, when both were presented quickly followed by blank screen or visual mask. Scapegoat theory: the observation that, when bad things happen, prejudice offers an outlet for anger by finding someone to blame. Experiments show a link: prejudice increases during temporary frustration (and decreases when experiencing loving support). Link to fear: prejudice seems absent in people with inactive fear responses in the amygdala. Groups and favoritism: decision making in a group can be hindered. Inclusion in groups promotes well-being and a feeling of belonging.