SOCPSY 1Z03 Midterm: Soc Psych 1ZO3 Midterm Review.docx

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Social Psychology
• Course: SOCPSY 1Z03
• Professor: Paul Glavin

Document Summary

Social psychology - the systemic study of the nature and causes of human social behaviour. Much of observable social behaviour is people carrying out their roles, similar to actors performing on a stage. According to role theory, to change a person"s behaviour, it is necessary to change or redefine his or her role. In order to change a persons behaviour we must redefine his or her role. A persons role does not only determine behaviour but beliefs and attitudes. Role theory has difficulty explaining deviant behaviour, or any behaviour that violates the norms defining a given role: deviant behaviour violates the demands of roles. Role theory does not and cannot explain how role expectations originate or how they change. In conditioning, a relationship is established between emitting a response and receiving a reinforcement. If a person emits a particular response and this response is then reinforced, the connection between response and reinforcement is strengthened.