Social influence

Question 1

Describe social influence

Answer 1

The effect other people have on our behaviour. This includes conformity, obedience and social loafing, for example

Question 2

Describe obedience

Answer 2

Following the orders of someone we believe to have authority

Question 3

Describe conformity

Answer 3

A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as the result of group pressure

Question 4

Describe socialisation

Answer 4

The way we are raised to behave and the things we are taught to accept as normal

Question 5

Describe a buffer

Answer 5

Something that creates distance between the teacher and learner (e.g. A wall or another person administering the shocks)

Question 6

What is conformity

Answer 6

A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as the result of group pressure.

Question 7

Describe Asch’s study into conformity?

Answer 7

Aim: To discover the effect on judgment of listening to other people.

Method: 5 of the participants were confederates the other was a genuine participant. They were shown a picture of lines and had to judge which line was equal to the test line. The confederates said the wrong answer, to see if the participant conformed.

Results: On 32% when the group gave the wrong answer the participants have the same wrong answer. 74% of the participants gave at least one wrong answer due to them conforming to the confederates.

Conclusion: People will conform so they won’t go against the group.

Question 8

Evaluation points for Asch’s study?

Answer 8

It was conducted in a laboratory.
Results might not have been the same as if it was conducted in a natural setting
You can control the variables much easier in a laboratory.