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CHAPTER11Social PsychologyThe “Homeless” ManPROLOGUEREMEMBER ERV AND FERN, Sandy’s parents,from Chapter 5? A few years ago, dropped a handful of quarters in his cup.purse, walked over to the man, andFern and Erv got two free plane tickets when “Hey, lady! What the hell d’ya think you’rethey were bumped from an overbooked flight. doing!?!” the man exclaimed, jumping up.They decided to visit a city they had always “Oh, my! Aren’t you homeless!?” Fernwanted to see—San Francisco. Even though asked, mortified and turning bright red.Fern was excited about the trip, she was also “Lady, this is my home,” the mananxious about visiting the earthquake zone. snapped, motioning with his thumb to theErv wasn’t especially worried about earthquakes,but he was worried about whether his my cup of coffee you just ruined!”house behind him. “I live here! And that’sold army buddy could still beat him at penny Fortunately, the “homeless” man alsopoker. Mostly, they both wanted to see the famoussights, eat seafood, wander through quarters out of his coffee and givinghad a sense of humor. After fishing Fern’sshops, and explore used bookstores, which them back to her, he chatted with the outof-towners,enlightening them on thewas Erv’s favorite hobby.As it turned out, Fern and Erv were both extraordinary cost of San Francisco realquite taken by the beauty and charm of San estate. As they parted, the not-sohomelessman ended up recommending aFrancisco. But they were also disturbed bythe number of homeless people they saw on couple of his favorite seafood restaurants.the city streets, sometimes sleeping in the Like Fern, we all try to make sense outdoorways of expensive shops and restaurants.This was especially disturbing to Fern, the world, we constantly make judgmentsof our social environment. As we navigatewho has a heart of gold and is known about the traits, motives, and goals ofamong her family and friends for her willingnessto help others, even complete strangers. we make mistakes!other people. And, like Fern, sometimesOn the third morning of their San Franciscovisit, Erv and Fern were walking along interpret our social environment, includ-In this chapter, we will look at how weone of the hilly San Francisco streets near ing how we form impressions of otherthe downtown area. That’s when Fern saw people and explain their behavior. We’lla scruffy-looking man in faded jeans sitting explore how our own behavior, includingon some steps, holding a cup. Something our willingness to help others, is influencedby the social environment andabout his facial expression struck Fern asseeming lost, maybe dejected. Surely this was other people. In the process, we’ll comeone of San Francisco’s less fortunate, Fern back to Erv and Fern’s incident with thethought to herself. Without a moment’s “homeless” man to illustrate severalhesitation, Fern rummaged through her important concepts.>Chapter Outline• Prologue: The “Homeless” Man• Introduction: What Is SocialPsychology?• Person Perception: FormingImpressions of Other PeopleFOCUS ON NEUROSCIENCE: BrainReward When Making EyeContact with Attractive People• Attribution: Explaining BehaviorCULTURE AND HUMAN BEHAVIOR:Explaining Failure and Murder:Culture and Attributional Biases• The Social Psychologyof Attitudes• Understanding Prejudice• Conformity: Following the Crowd• Obedience: Just Following OrdersCRITICAL THINKING: Abuse at AbuGhraib: Why Do Ordinary PeopleCommit Evil Acts?• Helping Behavior: Coming to theAid of Strangers• Closing ThoughtsENHANCING WELL-BEING WITHPSYCHOLOGY: The PersuasionGame• Chapter Review457