Social Influence

Question 1

Define “social influence”.

Answer 1

It is the influence on attitude or behavior by the real or imagined presence of others.

Question 2

What is compliance?

Answer 2

It is superficial, public, and transitory change in behavior and expressed attitudes in response to requests, coercion or group pressure.
Usually only persists while supervised.

Question 3

What are the processes of dual-process dependency model?

Answer 3

It is that we rely on others for social approval and for information about reality.

Question 4

Define “power.”

Answer 4

It is the ability to influence others while being able to resist their influence,.

Question 5

What is “agentic state”?

Answer 5

A psychological state in which a person views themselves as an agent of someone else’s will.

Question 6

What are some factors that influence obedience?

Answer 6

1. proximity of victim 2. proximity of authority figure 3. legitimacy of authority figure 4. group pressure

Question 7

Define “conformity”.

Answer 7

Adjusting one’s attitudes/beliefs/behavior to align with those of a group or social norm.
It is private and internal change.

Question 8

What is “autokinesis”?

Answer 8

It is an optical illusion where a stationary point of light appears to be moving.

Question 9

What are some factors group influencing conformity?

Answer 9

group size and unanimity

Question 10

What are the 2 processes of conformity?

Answer 10

Informative influence and normative influence.

Question 11

Describe drives behind normative influence.

Answer 11

Process by which one conforms to be accepted/ avoid social inclusion. Caused by need for approval/ inclusion.

Question 12

Describe drives behind informational influence.

Answer 12

It is a process by which one conforms because they believe others own relevant judgement. Caused by a wish to form accurate judgement.

Question 13

What is the “referent informational influence”?

Answer 13

This theory suggests that people conform to the group they are a part of. Not to validate reality, not to be approved, but they follow internalized group norms because it is human nature.

Question 14

What is the meta-contrast principle?

Answer 14

It suggests that people perceive differences between 2 groups as: more pronounce in close proximity and shown in fast succession and decreased when presented separately over a longer period of time.

Question 15

What is meant by “self-categorization”?

Answer 15

Categorizing yourself leads to identifying with a group.

Question 16

What is the process where numerical and power minorities change the attitudes of the majority?

Answer 16

Minority influence.

Question 17

What is conformity bias?

Answer 17

It is the tendency of social psychology to treat group influence as a one-way process, where individuals/minorities always conform to majorities.

Question 18

What are 3 social influence mechanisms that define how people respond to social conflict?

Answer 18

1. conformity - majority persuades the minority
2. normalization - mutual compromise where behaviors/attitudes are made socially acceptable and made normal
3. innovation - minority creates and accentuates conflict to persuade the majority to adopt its point of vies

Question 19

Define “conversion effect.”

Answer 19

It is the tendency of the initially resistant majority to adopt attitudes/beliefs/behaviors advocated by minority after repeated exposure to the message.

Question 20

What are the factors helping minority exert influence on majority?

Answer 20

If they are:
- active, outspoken
- consistent
- perceived to make personal sacrifices
- perceived as a part of the group