Key Terms

Question 1

Define compliance

Answer 1

The occurrence when an individual accepts influence becusee they hope to achieve a favourable reaction from those around them. An attitude or behaviour is adopted not because of its content, but because of the rewards or approval associated with its adoption

Question 2

Define conformity

Answer 2

A form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position and leads to compliance with that position. It is the tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes and values of the other members of a reference group.

Question 3

Define identification

Answer 3

A form of influence where an individual adopt an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular group or person

Question 4

Define Informational social influence

Answer 4

A form of influence which is the result of a desire to be right, looking to others as a way of gaining evidence about reality

Question 5

Define internalisation

Answer 5

When an individual accepts influence becuse the content of the attitude or behaviour proposed is consistent with their own value system

Question 6

Define normative social influence

Answer 6

A form or influence whereby an individual conforms with the expectations of the majority in order to gain approval or to avoid social disapproval

Question 7

Define social roles

Answer 7

Social roles are the behaviours expected of an individual who occupies a given social position or status

Question 8

Define obedience to authority

Answer 8

Obedience refers to a type of social influence whereby somebody acts in response to a direct order from a fugue which perceived authority. The here is also the implication that the person receiving the order is made to respond in a way that they would not otherwise have done without the order

Question 9

Define the agentic state

Answer 9

A person sees himself or herself as an agent for carrying out another persons wishes

Question 10

Define legitimate authority

Answer 10

A person who is perceived to be in a position of social control within a situation

Question 11

Define the authoritarian personality

Answer 11

A distinct personality pattern characterised by strict adherence to conventional values and a belief in absolute obedience to authority

Question 12

Define dispositional

Answer 12

Explanations of behaviours such as obedience emphasise them being caused by an individual’s own personal characteristics rather than situational influences within the environment

Question 13

Define the F Scale

Answer 13

The California F Scale (F for fascism) was developed as b California in 1947 as a measure of authoritarian traits or tendencies

Question 14

Define right-wing authoritarianism

Answer 14

A cluster of personality variables (conventionalism, authority submission and authoritarian aggression) that are associated with a right wing approach to life

Question 15

Define locus of control

Answer 15

People differ on their beliefs about whether the outcomes of their actions are dependant on what they do (int) or on events outside their personal control (ext)

Question 16

Define internal LOC

Answer 16

Individuals who tend to believe that they’re responsible for their behaviour and experience rather than external forces

Question 17

Define external LOC

Answer 17

Individuals who tend to believe that their behaviour and experience is caused by events outside their control

Question 18

Define social support

Answer 18

The perception that an individual has assistance available from other people, and they’re part of a supportive network

Question 19

Define commitment

Answer 19

The degree to which members of a minority are dedicated to a particular cause or activity. The grater the perceived commitment, the greater the influence

Question 20

Define consistency

Answer 20

Minority influence is effective provided there is stability in the expressed position over time and agreement among different members of the minority

Question 21

Define flexibility

Answer 21

A willingness to be flexible and to compromise when expressing a position

Question 22

Define minority influence

Answer 22

A form of social influence where members of the majority group change their beliefs or behaviours as a result of their exposure to a persuasive minority

Question 23

Define social change

Answer 23

Occurs when a society or section of society adopts a new belief or way of behaving which then becomes the widely accepted norm

Question 24

Define social norms interventions

Answer 24

An attempt to correct misperceptions if the normative behaviour of peers in an attempt to change the risky behaviour of a target population