PSYC 15a Study Guide - Final Guide: Psy, Suggestibility, Dispositional Attribution

• School: Brandeis University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 15a
• Professor: All

Document Summary

The study of how people"s thoughts, feelings and behavior influence, and are influenced by, the behavior of others. Reciprocal altruism=behavior that benefits another with expectation that those benefits will be returned in the future. Sherif study on the auto kinetic effect (informational conformity=believe that group is better informed, person"s behavior provides info about what is good or right) =the illusion that a stationary spot of light is moving when viewed in a darkened room (a classic case of suggestibility) +subjects in dark room were shown a light. While alone (pregroup), each estimated how far the light moved. In three sessions, estimated light movement in a group. 1)task is ambiguous (ranged from 2 to 80inched) 2)using an ambiguous stimulus, group norm is quickly formed. 3)when tested privately, after a year, subjects stick to group norm. Asch" paradigm (normative conformity= try to fit in the group, another person"s behavior provides information about what is right)