Social Psychology

Social Psychology Dr. Ashlea smith

Agenda • Is this Sexual Harassment? • Crossword Puzzle Activity • Social Psychology • Analysis Paper 2 • In-class Presentations

Leadership • What is leadership? • What characteristics or traits make up a good leader? • What happens when leadership fails? • Sexual Harassment? • Have you witnessed this or a personal experience?

Is this Sexual Harassment • Several employees of the Securities and Exchange Commission, including supervisors, romantic affairs with one another. This included holding frequent parties and leaving the office during the day to go drinking. A female attorney who did not participate in these activities claimed that she was harassed by the environment in which she had to work, and additionally charged that women who had affairs with male supervisors were rewarded with bonuses/promotions. The woman admitted that no one had pressured her for sex, nor had she been denied any promotions bc she didn’t participate in the activities of the others.

Ruling • A judge ruled that although the woman was not harassed on a quid pro quo basis, the SEC office was nonetheless an offensive work environment. She was awarded back pay, a promotion, and her choice of two jobs. Although socializing at the office routinely takes place, the Carnival of the Senses set up in the SEC office went beyond the bounds of typical social interactions

Case 2 • A severe snowstorm sent workers at a Virginia corporation home early. A female word-processing technician needed a ride, and a male engineer (for whom she done some work) readily offered to take her in the 4 WD vehicle. When they arrived at her apt. the man entered with her, according to him, only kissed her. The woman charged that he tried to kiss and fondle her, despite her protests. She complained to her employer, who reprimanded the man and warned him that he would be fired if he did anything like that in the future.

Case 2 Ruling • The woman’s attorney demonstrated in court that the corporation had received similar complaints about similar behavior involving this man. The employer made an out-of-court settlement after the court ruled that the company had a legal responsibility to prevent such actions from happening. According to Dr. Louise Fitzgerald from the Univ. Of IL at Champaign, this type of predatory unwanted attention is common 15% of working women have been the victims of this unwanted attention

Case 3 • Obscene cartoons depicting a female coworker (by name) engaged in various sex acts were posted in the men’s room of her office building. These remained in the public bathroom for a week, even after the company’s chief executive had seen them. They were removed only after he learned that the woman was upset about the cartoons.

Ruling 3 • The court determined that the cartoons were “highly offensive” and an impediment to the woman’s dealing with fellow employees and clients in a professional manner. The matter could have been helped had the cartoons been taken down immediately, but male allies of women are often rare in work settings. Men may feel they are breaking the ranks or not being “one of the boys”. This particular situation was made worse by the company’s chief executive’s ignorance and inaction. The employer paid the woman’s full salary and psychiatric bills until she found a new job.

Social Psychology • Scientific study of how a person’s behavior, thoughts, & feelings are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others • Social influence-the process which the real or implied presence of others can directly or indirectly influence the thoughts, feelings, & behavior of an individual

Prejudice/Discrimination/Racism • What is the difference between the 3? • Example of Prejudice • Example of Discrimination • Example of Racism

P/D/R Cont./ • Prejudice-negative attitude held by a person about the members of a particular social group • Discrimination-treating people differently b/c of prejudice toward the social group to which they belong • Racism-prejudice toward those from a different ethnic groups • Ageism-prejudicial attitudes toward the elderly • Religions, SES, overwt, underwt • Sexism-prejudice based on gender • In-groups v. out-groups

Privilege v. Oppression • I want you to think about your life and examine what would constitute an oppression and what would constitute a privilege. • Write these down on a scrap sheet of paper • Share and examine these thoughts in a small group • Example: • What does it mean or how do we socially exclude people or groups • How does society do this? • Social Exclusion/Isolation (pain from this v. physical pain)

Brown Eyes v. Blue Eyes Study • Pg. 499 • Iowa 1968 • After Dr. MLK assassination • 2nd grade teacher Jane Elliot

Rules of Attraction • Humans have a primal need to seek a partner & mate • Continuously scanning for a potential husband/wife/partner • Reproduction • Men are generally attracted to……………. • Women are generally attracted to…………… • What first attracted you to your significant other?

Research Shows that………. • Overweight women earn 20% less than avg sized woman • Skinny women marry men with the highest wages (husbands earn 45% more than overweight/obese ones) • Slightly overwt men earn 26% more than underweight colleagues • Susan Avertt & Sanders Korenman • Daniel Hanermesh & Jeff Biddle • Very attractive men & women earn 5% more hourly than those with avg looks even after adjusting for educ. Factors • Plain women earn 5% less than average lookers and plain men earn 10% less than average lookers • Univ. of Michigan found obese woman earn 40% less than women of normal weight

Rules of Attraction Cont. • Interpersonal attraction-liking or having the desire for a relationship with another person • Proximity-physically near someone else • Birds of a feather-”Flock together” • When opposites attract or do they attract? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJPYIQkz8YA

Aggression and Violence • Aggression-behavior intended to hurt or destroy another person • Violence in the Media? • Movies, music, art, videogames • Social role-pattern of behavior that is expected of a person who is a particular social position • Doctor, Mother, Father, Prisoner, Student • Altruism-”feeling good” by helping someone in trouble

Social Psychology