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Social Psychology II
Why Do People Help?
Are any acts truly altruistic or do all acts offer some benefit to the helper?
If helping someone makes you feel better, does that mean the act is no longer altruistic?
When Do People Help?
Some helping situations, such as the decision to donate blood, require considerable planning.
Others, such as the decision to enter a burning building to save a child, seem more spontaneous.
Do you think the Latané & Darley model describes both situations equally well?
Imagine that you are in need of help.
What steps should you take to maximize your chances of getting help?
Stereotypes And Prejudice
Is it possible to avoid stereotypes?
Does knowing about a stereotype allow you to avoid using it?
Scapegoating
Can you think of any recent examples of scapegoating?
Realistic group conflict
Think of groups to which you belong.
How do you feel about the members of those groups?
How do you feel about members of other groups?
Do any of your groups qualify as "ingroups?"
Stereotypes and perceptions
If stereotypes shape our perceptions - shape what we see - how accurate is the statement "seeing is believing?"
Comparing the approaches
Auto insurance companies routinely charge young male drivers the highest insurance premiums.
Is this discrimination based on a stereotype?
Is it justified?
Conflict
Can you think of other examples of non-zero-sum competitions and/or social traps?
Competition and social perception
What roles do you think the fundamental attribution error, ingroup favoritism, and self-fulfilling prophecies play in escalating or de-escalating conflict?
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