Group Polarization

In this video I describe how group opinions and decisions can differ from those of the individuals who make up the group. Group polarization refers to the tendency of groups to become more extreme and more polarized than the original views of members. Groups also tend to be more tolerant of risk, known as risky shift. Polarization can still occur … Read More

The Implicit Association Test

In this video I discuss the implicit association test (IAT) as well as some of the controversies surrounding interpretations of results and widespread use of the test. Negative attitudes may not always be directly expressed and the implicit association test is meant to be a way of assessing negative attitudes in a way that is difficult to consciously suppress or … Read More

The Robbers Cave Study – Improving Group Relations

In this video I discuss Muzafer Sherif’s well-known field experiment on the reduction of group conflict conducted at Robbers Cave State Park in Oklahoma. In this study, two groups of boys, the Eagles and the Rattlers, were put into competition and conflict in order to create group hostility, then researchers attempted to reduce the tension between the groups. The results … Read More

Stereotypes, Prejudice, & Discrimination

In this video I discuss how our tendency to use heuristics, shortcuts, and assumptions to fill in the gaps in our knowledge reveals our reliance on stereotypes to understand the world. These can lead us to prejudice or discrimination when we make assumptions about people based on their groups. The Ultimate Attribution Error refers to our tendency to apply dispositional … Read More

Impression Formation

In this video I discuss how we form impressions of others and how quickly and accurately we are able to form impressions. Thin slices theory suggests that we’re able to form impressions fairly quickly, though it’s unclear if these first impressions are accurate, resistant to change, or strengthened by confirmation bias. Even single word descriptions such as “warm” or “cold” … Read More

Situation, Disposition, & the Fundamental Attribution Error

In this video I consider how we explain the causes of events and behaviors and whether we focus on disposition or situation. The Fundamental Attribution Error suggests that we have a tendency to focus on dispositional explanations and ignore situational factors. This was demonstrated in Ross, Amabile, & Steinmetz’s 1977 study with quizmasters and contestants. The reasons for why we … Read More

Attractiveness

In this video I discuss attractiveness. I begin by discussing the halo effect; the idea that physically attractive people are often perceived as having other positive qualities such as being smarter or more outgoing. Next I consider which physical traits are universally considered attractive. Symmetry represents an important marker of health and the ability to produce healthy offspring. Attractive facial … Read More

Attraction & Relationship Formation

In this video I consider why we’re attracted to people and some of the factors that influence the relationships that we form. One major contributor is proximity, which refers to the fact that we tend to form relationships with people who are physically close to us; classmates, neighbors, & co-workers. Proximity alone isn’t enough and propinquity refers to the additional … Read More

Obedience & The Milgram Study

In this video I discuss what is perhaps the most famous study in social psychology; Stanley Milgram’s investigation of obedience to authority, conducted at Yale in the early 1960s. Milgram’s study involved the delivery of increasingly powerful electric shocks to another person. While psychiatrists predicted only 1% of participants would continue to the maximum voltage of 450 volts (despite protests … Read More

Compliance & Persuasion

In this video I discuss compliance and persuasion, which are direct social pressures to comply with requests or modify attitudes or behavior. First I discuss the distinction between the central route and peripheral routes to persuasion, then describe several compliance techniques. These include the foot-in-the-door technique, the door-in-the-face technique, the not-so-free sample, and the that’s-not-all technique. Recommended reading: Robert Cialdini … Read More