Tag: Social Psychology

  • Wishful Thinking

    Wishful Thinking

    Through wishful thinking, individuals prioritize desires over empirical truth in forming beliefs and making decisions. This phenomenon impacts both personal and broader societal decisions, underscoring the importance of critical, evidence-based thinking in navigating life’s complexities.

  • Non-substantive Disagreement

    Non-substantive Disagreement

    Non-substantive Disagreement occurs when debate or discussion responses fail to engage with the actual content or logical structure of an argument, instead focusing on externalities such as presentation, perceived intentions, or unrelated issues.

  • Availability Cascade

    Availability Cascade

    In an Availability Cascade, beliefs become widely accepted through frequent public repetition. This phenomenon, crucial in shaping public discourse, is driven by psychological factors and media influence, extending its reach beyond cultural limits.

  • Behavioral Sink

    Behavioral Sink

    John B. Calhoun’s concept of a behavioral sink illustrates how overcrowding and resource abundance lead to the breakdown of typical social and behavioral patterns in populations, marked by changes like increased aggression and social withdrawal. This phenomenon highlights the complex interplay between environmental factors and population dynamics.

  • Universe 25

    Universe 25

    The Universe 25 experiment, conducted by John B. Calhoun in 1972, examined behavioral changes in mice due to overpopulation within a resource-abundant environment. It traced the transition from rapid population growth to decline, underscoring the effects of high density on social structures.

  • Gaslighting

    Gaslighting

    Gaslighting, a deliberate form of manipulation, leads individuals to doubt their own perceptions and memory, often causing significant psychological distress. It occurs in various contexts, from personal relationships to societal interactions, characterized by its gradual, deceptive nature and resulting in emotional and cognitive impacts on the victim.

  • Nudging

    Nudging

    Nudge theory, developed by Thaler and Sunstein, utilizes subtle cues to influence decision-making, applied in fields like public policy and health. It operates on the principle that small environmental or informational adjustments can significantly impact behavior, prioritizing ethical application and individual autonomy.

  • NPC – Non-Player Character

    NPC – Non-Player Character

    In gaming, NPCs serve as narrative drivers and world enhancers, evolving with technology to create immersive experiences. They hold a significant place in both gaming mechanics and cultural impact.

  • Groupthink

    Groupthink

    Groupthink is a psychological dynamic in groups where the desire for harmony leads to poor decision-making, characterized by suppressed dissent and inadequate evaluation of alternatives and risks.