Social Behavior — Attitudes, Influence, and Interpersonal Relations Explained | Psychology Chapter 13 Summary

Social Behavior — Attitudes, Influence, and Interpersonal Relations Explained | Psychology Chapter 13 Summary

Book cover

This detailed summary of Chapter 13 from Principles of Psychology (13th Edition) by David G. Myers and C. Nathan DeWall explores how we think about, influence, and relate to one another through social psychology.

Watch the full YouTube podcast summary for an insightful discussion of social behavior, influence, and relationships.

Attribution and Attitudes

Attribution theory explains how we assign causes to behavior, though the fundamental attribution error leads us to overestimate personality factors. Attitudes influence behavior through peripheral and central route persuasion. Behavior also shapes attitudes via the foot-in-the-door phenomenon and cognitive dissonance theory.

Social Influence: Conformity and Obedience

Powerful social influences include:

  • Conformity: Adjusting behavior to align with group norms (Asch’s experiments).
  • Obedience: Following authority directives (Milgram’s shock study).
  • Social facilitation: Improved performance in the presence of others.
  • Social loafing: Reduced effort in group settings.
  • Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness in groups.
  • Group polarization and groupthink: Dynamics affecting group decisions and beliefs.

Prejudice, Aggression, and Prosocial Behavior

Prejudice stems from ingroup bias, scapegoat theory, and cognitive shortcuts like the other-race effect. Aggression is influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, including the frustration-aggression principle and violent social scripts. Prosocial behavior is encouraged by the mere exposure effect, love forms, altruism, and social norms like reciprocity and social responsibility.

Reducing Social Conflict

Conflict can be eased through contact, cooperation, communication, and GRIT (Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction).

Conclusion: The Dynamics of Social Interaction

Chapter 13 sheds light on the complex ways social forces shape attitudes, behaviors, and relationships. Understanding these principles enhances our insight into human social life and conflict resolution.

For the full explanation, watch the complete video summary and explore more chapters to deepen your psychology knowledge.

If you found this breakdown helpful, be sure to subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-by-chapter textbook summaries and academic study guides.

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