Social Impact Theory Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is a Source?
an authority figure
what is a Target?
the person being ordered to do something/the obeyer.
What is Strength of an authority figure?
The amount of perceived authority the source has
How does strength affect obedience?
More strength = more likely to obey.
What is Immediacy?
How recently an order was given or the proximity of the authority figure when they gave the order.
E.g. police officers.
How does immediacy affect obedience?
Closer immediacy = more likely to obey.
e.g., boss standing over you while asking you to complete a task.
What is Number?
The number of sources there are
How does Number affect obedience?
More sources = more obedience.
E.g. police officers often on patrol in groups rather than individually.
What is the Multiplicative Effect?
f(SIN) is higher than just Strength, Immediacy or number on its own. S x I x N = greater social force.
How does the Multiplicative Effect affect obedience?
SIN together creates higher obedience than just one on its own, e.g. several (N) police officers (S) standing next to a civilian (I) will make them more likely to obey than if it was one ordinary citizen.
What is the Divisional Effect?
The strength of the source is divided across the number of targets
How does the divisional effect affect obedience?
More targets = lower obedience
E.g., One police officer with a large group of teenagers means theyre less likely to obey as their strength as targets is higher than the strength of one officer.
What is Psychosocial Law?
Each time a source is added, obedience increases, but at a depleting rate.
How does Psychosocial Law affect obedience?
Eg, 10 people may respond to intial source, then 6 more with the next source, then 2, etc.
Evidence to support Social Impact Theory?
Milgram V7 - obedience dropped from 65% - 22.5% when orders were given over the phone, suggesting immediacy.
Evidence to conflict Social Impact Theory?
Milgram and Elms, when ranking participants on an F Scale (RWA personality), those with higher RWA were the ones who went to 65%. Suggests personality is important and SIT is reductionist.
What is another theory?
More holistic than Agency theory as it suggests 3 separate environmental figures as well as being able to figure out the social force numerically.
What is the usefulness of social impact theory?
Understanding the importance of police uniforms as this increases their strength
Useful for understanding how gang culture spreads if the leader has higher authority.
Useful for understanding Cult behaviour.
What is NOT useful about Social Impact Theory?
Very socially sensitive, justifies behaviour due to social force rather than personal choice.
What is the testability of social impact theory?
Multiplicative effect and social force can be calculated and produce quantitative/objective data.
