Summary of PSYC 360_Lecture #1
Main Ideas and Concepts
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Automatic Thinking:
Automatic Thinking refers to cognitive processes that occur without conscious effort, such as driving through familiar neighborhoods. This type of thinking is often guided by mental structures called Schemas.
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Schemas:
Schemas are mental frameworks that help individuals organize and interpret information about the social world. They are developed over time and can encompass various aspects of experiences, such as environments and social roles.
Example: The schema for "school" includes elements like classrooms, instructors, and fellow students.
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Stereotypes and Bias:
Schemas can lead to Stereotypes, which are oversimplified and generalized beliefs about social groups. These biases can affect how we perceive and interact with others, often without our conscious awareness.
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Accessibility of Schemas:
The accessibility of certain Schemas influences our judgments and decision-making processes. More readily accessible Schemas are more likely to guide our thoughts and actions in social situations.
Example: When purchasing a car, factors like color or gas mileage may be more accessible and influential in decision-making.
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Priming:
Priming refers to the activation of certain Schemas based on the social context or group we are in, which can affect our thoughts and behaviors.
Example: Being with family may prime thoughts about employment, while peers may prompt different considerations.
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Self-Fulfilling Prophecy:
The concept of a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy illustrates how our beliefs about others can influence their behavior, reinforcing our initial expectations.
This can also apply to self-perception, where we behave in ways that align with how we believe others expect us to act.
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Decision-Making and Heuristics:
Heuristics are mental shortcuts that simplify decision-making processes. While they can be efficient, they may also lead to faulty judgments.
- Availability Heuristic: Judgments based on how easily information comes to mind.
- Representativeness Heuristic: Judgments based on how closely a situation matches a typical case or stereotype.
- Base Rate Information: Considering the frequency of occurrences in past experiences to inform current judgments, which can lead to inaccuracies.
Methodology/Instructions
- Understanding Schemas:
- Recognizing Priming Effects:
- Observe how different social contexts affect your thoughts and behaviors.
- Consider how your social group might prime certain cognitive Schemas.
- Evaluating Decision-Making:
- When making decisions, consciously assess which Heuristics you are using.
- Challenge your initial judgments by seeking additional information or perspectives.
Speakers/Sources Featured
The content appears to be a lecture from a course titled "PSYC 360," but specific speaker names are not mentioned in the subtitles provided.
Notable Quotes
— 04:55 — « If you have a cognitive schema about someone that you just met and you're hoping that your prediction is correct, you may inadvertently reinforce or observe only the behaviors that feel supportive of your belief. »
— 06:00 — « This becomes a personal self-fulfilling prophecy, but it's one aspect of how we apply cognitive schemas to ourselves and to others. »
— 07:40 — « The trouble is of course the faulty decision making that can emerge from this; sometimes the easiest solution may not be the most rational or appropriate for the social situation. »
Category
Educational