Ap Psych Unit 6 Review

AP Psychology Unit 6 Review: Social Psychology – Understanding the Power of the Situation

Unit 6 of AP Psychology delves into the fascinating world of social psychology, exploring how our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are shaped by the presence of others, real or imagined. This comprehensive review covers key concepts, theories, and research findings crucial for success on the AP exam. We'll examine everything from social cognition and attribution to prejudice and aggression, providing a robust framework for understanding human interaction. Mastering this unit is key to a strong AP Psychology score, as social psychology represents a significant portion of the exam.

I. Social Cognition: Making Sense of the Social World

Social cognition focuses on how we interpret, analyze, remember, and use information about the social world. It's about how we think about other people and how these thoughts influence our behavior.

A. Attitudes: Attitudes are our evaluations of people, objects, and ideas. They can be positive, negative, or ambivalent, and they influence our behavior. The ABC model of attitudes highlights the three components:

• Affective (emotional): How we feel about something.
• Behavioral: How we act towards something.
• Cognitive: What we think about something.

Understanding attitude formation, change (through persuasion, cognitive dissonance, etc.), and their link to behavior is vital. The elaboration likelihood model explains how persuasion works through central (thoughtful consideration) and peripheral (superficial cues) routes. Cognitive dissonance, the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or attitudes, often leads to attitude change to reduce this discomfort.

B. Attribution: Attribution theory focuses on how we explain the causes of our own and others' behavior. We make attributions based on:

• Internal attributions: Explaining behavior based on personality or disposition.
• External attributions: Explaining behavior based on situational factors.

The fundamental attribution error involves overemphasizing internal factors and underestimating situational factors when explaining others' behavior. The actor-observer bias highlights the tendency to attribute our own behavior to situational factors while attributing others' behavior to internal factors. Self-serving bias refers to our tendency to take credit for our successes (internal attribution) and blame external factors for our failures (external attribution).

C. Schemas and Stereotypes: Schemas are mental frameworks that organize our knowledge about the social world. Stereotypes are schemas about groups of people, often oversimplified and potentially harmful. Confirmation bias reinforces stereotypes by seeking out information that confirms pre-existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence. Self-fulfilling prophecy occurs when our expectations about someone influence our behavior toward them, leading them to confirm those expectations.

II. Social Influence: Conformity, Obedience, and Group Dynamics

Social influence examines how our behavior is affected by the presence of others.

A. Conformity: Conformity is adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard. Asch's conformity experiments demonstrated the powerful influence of group pressure, even when the group is clearly wrong. Factors influencing conformity include group size, unanimity, and the presence of a dissenter. Normative social influence stems from our desire to be liked and accepted, while informational social influence arises from our desire to be correct.

B. Obedience: Obedience is compliance with a direct command. Milgram's obedience experiments revealed the surprising willingness of individuals to obey authority figures, even when it means harming others. Factors influencing obedience include the authority figure's legitimacy, proximity to the victim, and the presence of dissenting others.

C. Group Dynamics: Group dynamics explore the processes and behaviors within groups.

• Social facilitation: Improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others.
• Social loafing: The tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone.
• Deindividuation: Loss of self-awareness and self-restraint in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.
• Group polarization: The enhancement of a group's prevailing tendencies through discussion within the group.
• Groupthink: The mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.

III. Prejudice, Discrimination, and Aggression

This section explores negative social behaviors and their underlying causes.

A. Prejudice and Discrimination: Prejudice involves negative attitudes towards a group and its members, while discrimination involves negative behavior towards a group and its members. Prejudice can be based on various factors, including race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and sexual orientation. In-group bias refers to favoring one's own group, while out-group homogeneity is the perception that members of out-groups are more similar to each other than members of in-groups. Realistic conflict theory suggests that competition for resources can fuel prejudice and discrimination.

B. Aggression: Aggression involves behavior intended to harm another person. Biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to aggression. Frustration-aggression hypothesis proposes that frustration leads to aggression. Social learning theory emphasizes the role of observational learning in acquiring aggressive behaviors. The influence of media violence on aggression is a significant area of research.

C. Prosocial Behavior: Prosocial behavior involves actions intended to benefit others. Altruism is selfless concern for the well-being of others. The bystander effect highlights the tendency for individuals to be less likely to help when others are present. Factors influencing helping behavior include the perceived cost of helping, the presence of others, and the victim's characteristics.

IV. Interpersonal Attraction and Close Relationships

This section examines the factors influencing attraction and the dynamics of close relationships.

A. Interpersonal Attraction: Attraction is influenced by factors such as proximity, physical attractiveness, similarity, and reciprocity. The mere-exposure effect suggests that repeated exposure to a stimulus increases liking. Physical attractiveness is often a significant factor in initial attraction, but other factors become increasingly important as relationships develop. Similarity in attitudes, values, and background contributes to attraction and relationship satisfaction. Reciprocity, the principle that we like those who like us, plays a crucial role in the development of relationships.

B. Close Relationships: Close relationships, such as friendships and romantic relationships, are characterized by intimacy, commitment, and passion (Sternberg's triangular theory of love). Relationship satisfaction is influenced by factors such as communication, conflict resolution, and commitment. Attachment styles, developed in early childhood, influence our relationships throughout life. Secure attachment is associated with positive relationship outcomes, while insecure attachment (anxious-preoccupied or dismissive-avoidant) can lead to relationship difficulties.

V. Social Psychology in Everyday Life: Applications and Implications

Social psychology principles have significant implications for various aspects of daily life, including:

• Improving interpersonal relationships: Understanding social cognition and communication can improve the quality of our relationships.
• Reducing prejudice and discrimination: Strategies to reduce prejudice and discrimination involve promoting contact between groups, fostering empathy, and challenging stereotypes.
• Increasing prosocial behavior: By understanding the factors influencing helping behavior, we can create environments that promote helping and reduce the bystander effect.
• Improving group decision-making: Awareness of group dynamics, such as groupthink and group polarization, can lead to more effective decision-making.
• Understanding and addressing social problems: Social psychology provides valuable insights into various social problems, such as aggression, violence, and social inequality.

VI. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What are the most important concepts in AP Psychology Unit 6?

A: Attribution theory, conformity, obedience, group dynamics, prejudice, aggression, and interpersonal attraction are all crucial concepts to master.

Q: How can I best prepare for the AP Psychology exam on Unit 6?

A: Thorough review of the concepts outlined above is crucial. Practice applying these concepts to scenarios and examples. Using practice tests and reviewing past exam questions will also be highly beneficial.

Q: Are there any specific studies I should know for the exam?

A: Knowing the key findings of Asch's conformity experiments, Milgram's obedience experiments, and Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment is essential.

VII. Conclusion: The Power of the Situation

Unit 6 of AP Psychology demonstrates the profound impact of the social environment on human behavior. By understanding social cognition, social influence, and the dynamics of groups and relationships, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of human interaction. Mastering this unit requires a comprehensive understanding of key concepts, theories, and research findings. By diligently reviewing the material and applying the concepts to real-world scenarios, you'll be well-prepared to excel on the AP Psychology exam and gain a deeper appreciation for the power of the social situation. Remember to focus on understanding the underlying principles, rather than simply memorizing facts. Good luck with your studies!