Part I: Social Psychology Concepts

1. Conformity: Conformity is the tendency to adjust our behavior or beliefs to match those of a group. This can be done to fit in, avoid rejection, or gain approval.

Factors influencing conformity:

• Group size:Larger groups exert greater pressure to conform.
• Unanimity:When everyone else seems to agree, it’s harder to dissent.
• Cohesiveness:The stronger the group bond, the more likely we are to conform.
• Public vs. private behavior:We conform more in public situations.
• Informational influence:We may conform to gain information about a situation.
• Normative influence:We conform to avoid social disapproval or rejection.

2. Compliance: Compliance is acting in accordance with a request, even if we disagree.

Strategies for inducing compliance:

• Legitimate authority:People tend to obey figures of authority.
• Reciprocity:We feel obligated to return favors or concessions.
• Scarcity:We value things that are limited or seem rare.

3. Obedience: Obedience is the willingness to follow a command, even if it conflicts with our personal beliefs.

Factors that increase obedience:

• Legitimate authority:People are more likely to obey those they perceive as legitimate authorities.
• Uniformity:Seeing others obey makes it more likely to follow suit.
• Diffusion of responsibility:We feel less responsible for negative outcomes in a group setting.
• Gradual escalation of requests:Small initial requests lead to compliance with larger ones later.

4. Group Influence:

• Group membership:We tend to favor our in-group and may act differently based on group affiliation.
• Performance:Groups can improve performance on some tasks due to social facilitation.
• Decision-making:Group discussions can lead to better-informed decisions, but also groupthink (uncritical acceptance of group ideas).

5. Aggression: Aggression is hostile behavior intended to harm someone physically or emotionally.

Factors influencing aggression:

• Frustration:Obstacles or delays can lead to aggressive behavior.
• Provocation:Being attacked or threatened can trigger aggression.
• Pain:Physical pain can lower inhibitions and increase aggression.
• Social cues:Observing violence can make aggression seem more acceptable.
• Exposure to violence:Media portrayals of violence can desensitize people.

6. Altruism and Evolutionary Theory:

Altruism is helping others at a cost to oneself. Evolutionary theory suggests that altruism can exist because it can benefit our genes indirectly. Helping relatives or those likely to share our genes promotes the survival of our genetic lineage.

7. Models of Altruism:

• Kin selection:Helping relatives promotes the survival of shared genes.
• Reciprocal altruism:Helping others with the expectation of being helped in return.
• Altruism by reputation:Helping others to build a reputation for cooperation and trustworthiness.

8. Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love:

Sternberg suggests love has three components: intimacy (emotional closeness), passion (arousal and excitement), and commitment (decision to stay together). Different combinations of these components create different types of love, such as companionate love (intimacy + commitment), passionate love (passion + intimacy), and consummate love (all three components). Love can develop and change over time as the balance of these components shifts.

Part II: Brain and Behavior

1. Neuropsychology:

Neuropsychology is the field that studies how the brain relates to thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It examines how damage to specific brain regions can affect these functions and how healthy brain activity supports them.

2. Localization vs. Equipotentiality:

• Localization theory:Proposes specific brain regions are responsible for specific functions. Damage to a region disrupts that function.
• Equipotentiality theory:Suggests the brain is more flexible, with many areas contributing to various functions. Damage may be compensated for by other regions.

3. Contributions of Brain Theories:

• Localization:Helps us understand how the brain works by pinpointing the role of specific regions.
• Equipotentiality:Highlights the brain’s plasticity and ability to adapt after injury.

4. Brain Professionals:

• Neuropsychologists:Assess and diagnose brain-related cognitive and behavioral issues.
• Neurologists:Diagnose and treat diseases of the nervous system.
• Neuroscientists:Broad field studying the structure and function of the nervous system.
• Neurosurgeons:Perform surgery on the brain and nervous system.

5. Importance of Luria’s Functional Model:

Luria’s model proposed three functional units in the brain responsible for specific cognitive