Psychology 2035A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Aversive Racism, Elaboration Likelihood Model, Social Influence

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2035A/B
• Professor: Doug Hazlewood

Document Summary

Psychology 2035 chapter 7: social thinking and social influence. As people interact with others, they constantly engage in person perception, the process of forming impressions of others: because this is an automatic process, people are unaware that this is taking place. We are dependent on observations of others to determine what they are like. In forming impressions people rely on five key sources of observation information: appearance, verbal behaviour, actions, nonverbal messages, situations. Studies have shown that the presence of a trait perceived to be negative can have more influence on forming impressions than several positive qualities: bad impressions tend to be stronger than good ones. Snap judgements about others are those made quickly and based on only a few bits of information and preconceived notions. In forming impressions of those who can affect their welfare and happiness, people make systematic judgements rather than snap decisions.