#AP Psychology Study Guide: Social Thinking & Attitudes

Hey there, future AP Psych superstar! Let's dive into how we think about others and ourselves. This guide is designed to make sure you're not just memorizing, but understanding these concepts, so you can rock the exam. Let's get started! 🚀

#Social Cognition: How We Think About the Social World

# Stereotypes and Implicit Attitudes

Ever notice how quickly we categorize people? That's social cognition in action! But sometimes, our brains take shortcuts that can lead to trouble.

#Stereotypes as Cognitive Shortcuts

• #Stereotypes: Oversimplified, generalized beliefs about a group of people. Think of them as mental shortcuts. 🧠

- **Why do we use them?** - Reduce cognitive load: Makes decisions faster. - Based on limited or biased experiences. - Reinforced by confirmation bias. - **Consequences:** - Prejudiced attitudes and discriminatory behaviors. - Can stem from limited exposure to a particular group. - Reinforced by selective attention to information that confirms the stereotype.

#Implicit Attitudes and Biases

• Implicit Attitudes: Unconscious evaluations about others. 🤫
  • May not match our stated beliefs.
  • Influence behavior without us realizing it.
• Key Biases:
  • Just-World Phenomenon: Belief that people get what they deserve.

- **Out-Group Homogeneity Bias:** Seeing members of other groups as all the same. - **In-Group Bias:** Favoring our own group. - **Ethnocentrism:** Judging other cultures by our own standards.

Social cognition involves how we process, store, and apply information about other people and social situations.

# Belief Perseverance and Dissonance

Now, let's look at how we hold onto our beliefs and what happens when they clash with reality.

#Belief Perseverance and Confirmation Bias

• #Belief Perseverance: Sticking to a belief even when there's evidence against it. 🙅‍♀️

- **Confirmation Bias:** Seeking out info that confirms our beliefs. - Dismissing or ignoring contradictory evidence. - Stronger with deeply held beliefs. - **Overcoming it:** - Actively seek alternative perspectives. - Admit being wrong.

#Cognitive Dissonance and Resolution

• Cognitive Dissonance: Mental discomfort when actions and attitudes don't match. 😣
  • Occurs when behavior contradicts beliefs.
  • Arises when facing difficult decisions.
• Reducing Dissonance:
  • Change actions to match attitudes.
  • Change attitudes to justify actions.

- Seek out supporting information while ignoring contradictory information.

Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs, which we are motivated to reduce.

#Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. Here's what you really need to focus on:

• High-Priority Topics:
  • Stereotypes, implicit bias, and their impact on behavior.
  • Belief perseverance and confirmation bias.
  • Cognitive dissonance and how we resolve it.
• Common Question Types:
  • Multiple-choice questions testing your understanding of key terms and concepts.
  • Free-response questions asking you to apply these concepts to real-life scenarios.
  • Questions that combine multiple units, such as social psychology with cognitive processes.
• Last-Minute Tips:
  • Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on and come back if needed.
  • Common Pitfalls: Be careful not to confuse terms that sound similar (e.g., prejudice vs. discrimination).
  • Strategies: Read the FRQ prompts carefully and plan your response before writing. Use examples to support your points.

#

Practice Question

Practice Questions

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. A tendency to favor one's own group is called: a) Out-group homogeneity bias b) In-group bias c) Ethnocentrism d) Just-world phenomenon

2. The mental discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs is known as: a) Belief perseverance b) Confirmation bias c) Cognitive dissonance d) Implicit attitude

3. Which of the following best illustrates the concept of belief perseverance? a) Changing your opinion after hearing a new argument. b) Seeking out information that supports your existing beliefs. c) Continuing to believe something even when presented with contradictory evidence. d) Experiencing discomfort when your actions do not match your beliefs.

#Free Response Question

Scenario:

Sarah is a high school student who believes that all athletes are unintelligent. She also feels guilty about not recycling, but she continues to throw recyclable items in the trash. Explain how the following concepts relate to Sarah’s situation:

• Stereotype
• Confirmation bias
• Cognitive dissonance

Scoring Guidelines:

• Stereotype (1 point):
  • The student must correctly identify Sarah’s belief about athletes as a stereotype (oversimplified, generalized belief).
• Confirmation Bias (1 point):
  • The student must explain that Sarah might selectively notice examples of athletes who seem unintelligent, reinforcing her stereotype, while ignoring examples of intelligent athletes.
• Cognitive Dissonance (2 points):
  • The student must explain that Sarah experiences cognitive dissonance because her behavior (not recycling) is inconsistent with her belief (that recycling is important).
  • The student must explain that Sarah might reduce this dissonance by either changing her behavior (starting to recycle) or changing her belief (convincing herself that recycling is not that important).

Alright, you've got this! Remember to stay calm, think clearly, and trust in your preparation. You're ready to ace this exam! 🎉