Elliot Aronson's Teaching Methods:

  • Elliot Aronson taught an introductory social psychology course with a large number of students, aiming to make it a nice introduction for his TAs and defuse nervousness among them.
  • He invited his teaching assistants (TAs) to give guest lectures as a way to build empathy among the students and provide the TAs with valuable experience addressing a large audience.

The Pratfall Effect:

  • The pratfall effect refers to the phenomenon where making a mistake or showing vulnerability can make people appear more relatable and likable, particularly when exhibited by highly competent individuals.
  • Research indicates that revealing failures on the path to success reduces malicious envy, leading people to admire rather than resent others who exhibit vulnerability.

Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Persuasion:

  • Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort arising from conflicting attitudes and actions, often leading to rationalization and self-persuasion.
  • Elliot Aronson's research demonstrated that involving individuals in making arguments increases persuasion by activating self-persuasion through cognitive dissonance. This approach resulted in a sharp increase in the use of condoms among sexually active college students.

Jigsaw Classroom for Reducing Prejudice:

  • The Jigsaw Classroom was developed by Elliot Aronson to promote cooperation among diverse groups of students by assigning them different sections of material that they had to share with each other.
  • This method resulted in reduced prejudice, increased liking for school, decreased absenteeism, and enhanced empathy among participants, especially younger kids who found it easier to overcome prejudices before they hardened.

Influential Figures in Psychology:

  • Elliot Aronson mentions influential figures such as Kurt Lewin, Leon Festinger, B.F. Skinner, Carl Rogers, and Paul Neal in the field of psychology.
  • He attributes value to Gordon Allport's work on reducing prejudice through strategies like the jigsaw classroom approach.

Personal Experience with Cognitive Dissonance:

  • Aronson reflects on his personal experience of cognitive dissonance when making important decisions that could impact others.
  • He emphasizes the need to base decisions on specific instances rather than self-justification or rationalization.

Impact of Small Actions on Psychological Well-being:

  • Aronson shares a personal anecdote about how obtaining a canoe helped alleviate his dissonance about choosing a house, highlighting the psychological impact of small actions.

Insights into Long-lasting Love and Marriage:

  • Elliot Aronson shares insights into maintaining a long and happy marriage with Vera, emphasizing her exceptional qualities and their strong friendship.
  • He advises on communication skills, interpersonal understanding, and civil disagreement as crucial elements for successful relationships.