Conformity

Question 1

What is Normative Social Influence?

Answer 1

An influence to conform in order to be accepted or liked by others.
- This is often driven by the desire to avoid disapproval and to fit in socially.

Question 2

What is Informational Social Influence?

Answer 2

An influence to conform because we believe others are correct and we want to be right.
- This is especially prevalent in ambiguous situations.

Question 3

Why do people conform according to Normative Social Influence?

Answer 3

To appear normal and avoid looking foolish.
- This is particularly true in the presence of friends.

Question 4

Why do people conform according to Informational Social Influence?

Answer 4

To use the group as a source of information in uncertain situations.
- This is a cognitive process where people seek correctness.

Question 5

What did Asch (1951) find about conformity?

Answer 5

• Participants conformed due to self-consciousness and fear of disapproval.
• 75% of participants conformed at least once.
• Conformity dropped to 12.5% when participants wrote their answers.

Question 6

What effect did task difficulty have on conformity in Asch’s variations (1955)?

Answer 6

Task Difficulty: Conformity increased when lines were closer in length.
- This suggests that ambiguity heightens conformity.

Question 7

What was found regarding group size in Asch’s variations?

Answer 7

Conformity increased with more confederates: 3% with 1, 12% with 2, and 32% with 3.
- This indicates that larger groups can exert more social pressure.

Question 8

What was the effect of having an ally in Asch’s conformity study?

Answer 8

Conformity dropped to 5% if participants had a confederate ally who gave the correct answer.
- This highlights the importance of unanimity in the majority.

Question 9

What did Perrin and Spencer (1980) find about conformity in engineering students?

Answer 9

Conformity was low among engineering students.
- This suggests individual differences can affect the influence of Informational Social Influence.
- AO3 weakness of Asch’s study.

Question 10

What is a limitation of both explanations of conformity?

Answer 10

They rely on inference, making it hard to determine an individual’s true reasons for conformity.
- Individuals may not be aware of their own motivations.

Question 11

What is compliance in the context of conformity?

Answer 11

Compliance is where the individual changes their behaviour to fit in with the group.
- Public agreement, privately disagrees.

Question 12

What type of social influence best explains compliance?

Answer 12

Normative social influence.
- This influence is based on the desire to fit in with the group.

Question 13

How long does compliance last?

Answer 13

It lasts only as long as the group is present.

Question 14

What distinguishes internalisation from compliance?

Answer 14

Internalisation is the most permanent form of conformity as it becomes part of how a person thinks, even in the absence of the group.

Question 15

What type of social influence is linked to internalisation?

Answer 15

Informational social influence.

Question 16

What is identification in the context of conformity?

Answer 16

People change their behaviours and sometimes beliefs to fit in with a group they like/value and ‘identify’ with.

Question 17

Is identification a permanent or temporary from of conformity?

Answer 17

It is temporary conformity if they leave the group and identify with others.

Question 18

What types of social influence explain identification?

Answer 18

A combination of normative social influence and informational social influence.

Question 19

In internalisation, how do individuals regard the group’s beliefs?

Answer 19

They publicly and privately value the beliefs of the group.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: Internalisation is the most _______ form of conformity.

Answer 20

permanent

Question 21

What was the aim of Zimbardo’s experiment?

Answer 21

To find out if participants will conform to their social roles if given uniforms and roles.
- The experiment focused on understanding how situational factors influence behavior.

Question 22

What was the sample size and demographic of Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 22

24 healthy male university students in the US.
- Participants were randomly allocated to roles as either guards or prisoners.

Question 23

What uniforms did the guards and prisoners wear in Zimbardo’s experiment?

Answer 23

Guards wore reflective sunglasses and khaki uniforms; prisoners wore smocks and were referred to by number.
- The uniforms were designed to enhance identification with their roles.

Question 24

What were the findings of Zimbardo’s experiment?

Answer 24

Had to be stopped after 6 days; 1/3 of guards became aggressive and sadistic; prisoners rebelled and took the prison as real.
- The rapid escalation of behavior highlighted the power of situational factors.

Question 25

What conclusion was drawn from Zimbardo's experiment?

Answer 25

People will conform to social roles if given the right cues. - This suggests that environment and assigned roles can significantly influence behavior.

Question 26

What was a major strength of Zimbardo's study?

Answer 26

Real world applications - has helped in prison reform. - The study's insights have informed changes in prison policies and practices.

Question 27

What type of data was collected during Zimbardo's experiment?

Answer 27

Hours of footage and observational data - not just a snapshot of behavior. - This extensive data collection allowed for a more comprehensive analysis of participant behavior.

Question 28

What was a significant weakness related to investigator effects in Zimbardo's study?

Answer 28

Zimbardo acted as superintendent and influenced guards to be aggressive. - His dual role may have compromised the objectivity of the study.

Question 29

What ethical concern was raised regarding participants in Zimbardo's experiment?

Answer 29

Prisoners were discouraged from leaving. - This raises questions about informed consent and the right to withdraw.

Question 30

What are demand characteristics, and how were they evident in Zimbardo's study?

Answer 30

Demand characteristics are certain behaviours/actions carried out due to an expectation of what the experimenter wants to see. One guard in particular played to his expected role. - This indicates that participants may alter their behavior based on perceived expectations.