AP Psychology

CHAPTER

18

Social Psychology

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary:If you could spare a few minutes for a close friend who asked for

some help, would you? Of course you would. How other people, groups and

cultures shape our perceptions, attitudes and behavior is the study of social

psychology. It looks at how social and situational factors can influence us in

both positive and negative ways. Research by social psychologistshas raised

important ethical questions because of the use of deception and manipula-

tion to get as accurate results as possible. The American Psychological

Association’s ethical guidelines have tightened the reins on researchers as

a result of some of the more controversial, yet important findings in this field.

This chapter deals with how groups affect the individual, how we perceive

others and others perceive us, and attitudes and attitude change.

Key Ideas

✪Group dynamics

✪Bystander intervention

✪Attribution processes

✪Interpersonal perception

✪Organizational behavior

✪Conformity, compliance, and obedience

✪Attitudes and attitude change

✪Aggression and antisocial behavior

Group Dynamics

Humans have a basic drive to form social bonds with others. A social groupis two or more indi-

viduals sharing common goals and interests, interacting, and influencing each other’s behavior.

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KEY IDEA

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