CHAPTER
This chapter
focuses on
social and
cultural factors
that guide our
feelings toward
one another.
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Sociocultural
Influences and
Relationships
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Attribution Theory
Attribution theory explains how we form opinions of others.
ANTECEDENTS
“things that
come before”
Information
beliefs, and
motivations
we already have
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ATTRIBUTION
“to give to”
Explanations of
why people act
as they do
CONSEQUENCES
“things that
follow”
Our thoughts,
our emotional
responses,
and expectations
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Interpersonal Attraction
Ingredients in Liking and Loving
 Flirting such as glancing at a person, smiling, nodding,
primping, playing with one’s hair, etc.
 The person who is physically
attractive is seen as trustworthy,
confident, and competent.
 People tend to select people who are as
attractive as they are. Over time, the
importance of looks decreases.
 Self-disclosure is good to a degree but too much is boring
to another person.
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Marriage Counselors say that….
1. Marrying someone who has a drug or alcohol
problem and trying to reform that person is
almost never a good idea.
2. Jealousy is never a good idea.
3. Any violence in a relationship is a bad sign.
It rarely goes away.
4. Love means giving and taking.
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Aggression and Violence
Influence of the Brain
People interpret similar situations as peaceful or
violent, depending on their prior experience.
Culture and Aggression
America is a very violent country. (The murder rate is 7-10
times higher than in Europe.) This may be due to the
emphasis people place on individual rights, freedom, and
competition.
Between the ages of 15-24, homicide is the second highest
cause of death (following accidents).
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Social Factors in Aggression
Aggressive patterns are set by middle childhood. Some
males are conditioned to be “masculine” because their
aggressive behavior is condoned through adolescence.
Deindividuation (a loss of identity as a result of being
in a group) increases violent acts.
In a group, individuals feel less responsibility, more power,
and less vulnerability. This is called the risky-shift
phenomenon. This may lead to events such as mob action,
gang beatings and riots.
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Biological Factors in Aggression
The part of the brain called the hypothalamus is
responsible for rage, anger, and pleasure.
Taking drugs (e.g. amphetamines) can increase the
firing of neurons, causing the person to feel confused
and threatened.
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Effects of Mass Media
 Most psychologists now believe that violence in films can
increase violent behavior in people (imitation learning).
Seeing violence in
films and television
does not allow people
to release aggressive
tendencies. It is not
cathartic.
Violent behavior increases if people believe that
violence is justified or acceptable.
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Witnessing Real-Life Violence
Exposure to violence leads to anxiety, sleep problems,
nightmares, and withdrawal.
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Helping Behavior
When more people are present, people feel less personal
responsibility to help others.
1. When others are present people do not want to appear foolish.
2. People use others viewing the crisis as a measuring stick
about how to act and behave.
3. Diffusion of responsibility means that a person feels less
responsibility in a group.
4. People do not call for police because that would signal an
emergency, which would require more help than the person
is willing to give.
5. People will not help in a strange environment.
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Environmental Influences on Behavior
Territoriality (protecting a specific area) occurs in
some animal species.
Humans seemingly exhibit a similar behavior. It is
called personal space.
Personal space in America is about
two feet. If people come closer than
that, a person may feel threatened
and uncomfortable.
Males tend to want a larger
personal space than do females.
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Environmental Influences on Behavior (continued)
Density is the actual number of people per square
foot, while crowding is the feeling of being too close.
Overcrowding in animals causes them to become defensive.
Some will kill; they may fail to breed; they may develop
brain defects; and many die of the stress of the situation.
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Summary of
Main Topics Covered
Attribution Theory
Interpersonal Attraction
Marriage
Aggression and Violence
Helping Behavior
Environmental Influences on Behavior
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