PSY403 Final Term Solved Papers

PSY403

ABSTRACT This comprehensive collection of notes is accurately crafted to empower students to excel academically, ensuring they achieve a minimum of 80% marks in their examinations. The content is organized with clarity and precision, focusing on key concepts, critical analyses, and practical applications tailored to the syllabus. These notes serve as a reliable resource for both thorough preparation and last-minute revision. Designed to inspire confidence and mastery, this guide is an essential tool for students striving for academic excellence.

Maha Malik Social Psychology

1. Correspondent Inference Theory (Jones & Davis, 1965)

This theory describes how we use heuristics to infer dispositional (stable and internal) causes of behavior. It emphasizes making dispositional attributions under conditions such as: o Social Desirability: When socially undesirable behaviors are observed. o Choice: When the actor freely chooses the behavior. o Non-common Effects: When behavior leads to unique outcomes.

2. Gender Aggression

Men are more likely to engage in physical aggression, while women use indirect forms like gossiping or social exclusion. Personality traits, such as irritability and emotional susceptibility, are significant predictors of aggression.

3. Stereotype Recategorization

Recategorization reduces bias by combining groups into a single entity or emphasizing individual uniqueness. For example, promoting intermarriages or fostering a shared identity within diverse groups.

4. Reducing Social Loafing

Strategies include: o Making individual contributions identifiable. o Providing performance standards. o Rewarding group productivity. o Assigning meaningful tasks.

5. Factors of Conformity

Key factors include group size, group cohesiveness, and social support. Conformity increases with group size (up to three people) and decreases with social dissent.

6. Observational Learning and Prosocial Behavior

Children learn prosocial behavior by observing role models exhibiting acts like sharing and kindness, emphasizing the importance of positive reinforcement.

7. Attachment Styles and Later Relationships

Early attachment patterns (secure, avoidant, or anxious) influence adult relationship dynamics, affecting trust, intimacy, and dependency.

8. Deindividuation Explained with Example

Deindividuation occurs in anonymous or group settings, reducing self-awareness and accountability. For example, during riots, individuals may act aggressively due to diminished personal responsibility.

9. Social Comparison and Social Exchange

Social comparison involves assessing oneself against others, influencing self-esteem. Social exchange theory explains relationships as cost-benefit analyses, promoting behaviors that maximize rewards and minimize costs.

10. Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

This occurs when beliefs influence behaviors to confirm those beliefs. For instance, expecting a student to perform poorly may lead to less support, resulting in poor performance.

11. Arousal Cost-Reward Model

According to Piliavin et al. (1981), bystanders can: Intervene indirectly by contacting authorities (e.g., police, ambulance). Redefine the situation as non-emergency to alleviate discomfort, such as assuming someone else will help.

12. Gender Differences in Aggression

Men typically engage in physical aggression, while women are more likely to use indirect aggression (e.g., gossip). Hormonal activity, particularly testosterone, also contributes to male aggression. However, situational and cultural factors significantly shape aggression across genders.

13. Real-life Example of Arousal Cost-Reward Model

In emergencies, if helping involves high costs (e.g., risking safety), a bystander might call for professional assistance rather than intervening directly. For instance, witnessing a road accident may prompt calling an ambulance instead of physically aiding the injured.

14. Facial Expression Experiment (Six Groups)

Experiments reveal that basic emotions like anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise, and contempt are universally recognized across cultures. These emotions are critical in studying facial expression recognition.

15. Group and Its Basic Characteristics

A group is defined as two or more people interacting, sharing goals, being interdependent, and recognizing their membership. Key characteristics include norms, roles, status, and cohesiveness.

16. Two-Step Compliance Strategies

Foot-in-the-Door Technique: Start with a small request, followed by a larger one. Door-in-the-Face Technique: Begin with an unreasonable large request, then shift to a smaller one.

17. Social Norms

Shared rules or expectations guide group members' behavior, promoting conformity and reducing deviance. Examples include dress codes or smoking prohibitions.

18. Behavior Changing Attitudes

Attitudes can be shaped by behavior through operant conditioning (rewards/punishments) and observational learning, as seen in Bandura’s studies.

19. Social Identity Theory

This theory explains intergroup behavior based on self-concept derived from group memberships. It emphasizes in-group favoritism and out-group discrimination.

20. Observation Rules Learning Perspective in Children

Children imitate observed behaviors, especially when models are rewarded. This influences the development of both prosocial and aggressive behaviors.

21. Accuracy of Eyewitnesses

Factors such as stress, weapon focus, and suggestive questioning affect eyewitness accuracy. For example, eyewitnesses are prone to memory errors influenced by leading questions or stress, which may narrow their focus.

22. Close Relationships

Close relationships, including friendships and romantic ties, contribute to mental and