Social Influence Flashcards
(29 cards)
Define conformity
Is the act of changing one’s attitude and/or behaviour to fit in with the majority/a group or as a response to imagined pressure to do so
Name and describe the 3 types of conformity
Compliance: change in attitude/behaviour is external to fit in within the group, individual does not change their internal attitudes towards subject
Identification: change in attitude/behaviour is external to fit in within the group, individual does not change their internal attitudes towards the subject, but applies the attitude when in the presence of the group
Internalisation: individual changes both their internal and external attitudes towards the subject
Name and describe the two reasons for conformity
Normative social influence/conformity: individual changes their attitude/behaviour in order not to stand out and fit in
For instance, the Solomon asch line study, individuals had to state the line they believed was the closest match to the target line. The real participant was placed at the end of the row, thus, gave their answer last. The other confederates were informed to give the incorrect answer, although the correct answer so made to be obvious. The group size yielded great influence on the real participant, as they conformed with the group to fit in by giving the same answer as everyone else, despite the response being bluntly incorrect.
Informative social influence/conformity: individual changes their attitude/behaviour as they believe the group knows better (or they are unsure)
An example of this can be observed during emergencies. Individual uncertain of what to do will observe the behaviours/attitudes of others in order to gain insight of what to do. For instance, in a fire emergency, if the fire alarm goes off and nobody moves/does anything, an individual unsure of what to do will conform to what majority of the group is doing. If people start exiting the place, the individual is likely to do the same.
Describe the ways in which the following factors affect conformity:
Group size:
Anonymity/privacy:
Unanimity:
Individual status:
Status of majority group:
Group size: the larger the group size, the more individual is influenced by conformity effect
Anonymity/privacy: decreases the need to conform to the group as individual can express their attitudes/behaviours without being identified
Unanimity: the more united the group is (the group expresses their attitude/behaviours strongly), the more the individual will feel the need to conform
Individual status: The higher the status of an individual the less they feel the need to conform, individuals with higher status yield more conformity, influencing those of lower status to conform to their attitudes/behaviour. Thus, the group exerts less influence on the individual.
Status of majority group: The higher the status individuals exert more social influence, than lower status individuals
Define and explain the bystander effect
Is when an individual or animal requires assistance, however, does not get it as other people experience imagined group pressure to conform. This occurs because people form temporary groups and there is an imagined diffusion of responsibility. Thus, the larger the group is, the less an individual feels responsible to do something. They may think “if no one is doing anything, then I should not either”. Thus, the animal or individual does not receive assistance, unless, an individual refuses to conform, then the social influence the group exerts is reduced.
Define ‘attitude’
Attitudes are formed opinions, thoughts, or evaluations of particular thing, subject, topic etc.
Attitudes can be described as:
- Negative
- Positive
- neutral
Explain the bidirectional relationship between attitude and behaviour
Attitude and behaviour connect. A change in attitude leads to a change in behaviour vice versa. This is because people use their attitudes as a basis of their behaviour vice versa. For instance, if an individual does not a particular subject in school (attitude), they may not try as hard to do their homework or complete homework (behaviour). Thus, attitude influences behaviour vice versa. Therefore, the relationship between attitude and behaviour is bidirectional.
Define the tripartite model
- is a conceptual model that proposes attitude consists of 3 components
State and describe the 3 components of the tripartite model
ABC model
Affection – these includes the individual’s feelings (emotions) opinions associated with the attitude
Behavioural – this consists of past behaviours and future intentions associated with the attitude
Cognitive – includes beliefs and thoughts associated with the attitude
Define central route
attempts to change the audience’s attitude/behaviours via the use of facts and knowledge
Define peripheral route
appeals to emotion and association as a means of attempting to change an individual’s attitude/behaviour
Define the act of persuasion
The act of attempting to influence an individual’s attitude/behaviour in hopes of leaving a long-lasting effect. This is done via the bi-directional route: changing attitude to change behaviour vice versa.
Describe the following strategies of persuasion
The norm of reciprocity:
Door in the face
Foot in the door:
The norm of reciprocity: if an individual is given something for free or simply gifted something, they are likely to return the favour by giving something back.
For instance, if a shop gives away free bags, customers are likely to return as they don’t have to pay as much money at that shop compared to other shops, this increases that shop’s sales
Door in the face: making large request/deals and then reducing it when refused
For instance, if a child wants to sleep over at a friend’s but their parents refuse, they may try to negotiate by persuading the parents to at least let them go over and hang out for a couple of hours before night
Foot in the door: making small requests then followed by larger request or second request
For instance, when buying fries, the cashier may ask “would you like sauce with that?” or “would you like a drink with that?”
FACTORS AFFECTING BIDIRECTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOUR
Strength:
Accessibility:
Specificity:
Strength: the stronger the attitude, the stronger it influences behaviour. These attitudes are firmly held and expressed.
Accessibility: the easier the attitude comes to mind, the more likely it will influence behaviour. The attitude is already there and formed.
Specificity: the more related the attitude is to the behaviour, the more influential it is
Behaviours can influence attitude. Describe how this is possible.
Individuals utilise behaviours as a foundation for forming an attitude.
For instance, individual may always come late to class (behaviour), thus they do not view being late as significantly big deal (attitude) compared to someone who always is. The late individual is already used to the behaviour; thus, their attitude aligns with it.
Define ‘bias’
A bias is an unintentional, inbuilt and automatic attitude that individuals use when processing information
There are 4 types of biases, name and describe them.
Conformity bias: when an individual takes in attitudes and behaviours of the group
Confirmational bias: when individual choose information that align their pre-existing thoughts
Gender bias: the tendency to prefer one gender over the other
Attribution bias: when something good happens, we associate that thing with our behaviours, however, when bad things happen, we associate it with external factors. For instance, an individual breaks a mirror, something bad happens to them that same day, they attribute the broken mirror as a token for bad luck
Describe the following:
Prejudice:
Stereotype:
Discrimination:
Prejudice: pre-judgement about a things, positive/negative attitude about something with limited experience, assessment or evidence
Stereotype: generalisation of a type of group of people, apply attitudes to people based on perceived or imagined characteristics. This is harmful as it leads to impressions that are unfair or not based on evidence.
Discrimination: people act based on prejudice because an individual is perceived to belong to a particular group
State how exposure contributes to bias and prejudice
The more exposed an individual is to a particular attitude and behaviour, the more likely the individual will take on those same attitudes/behaviours. This increases with fundamental attribution error.
EFFECTS OF PREJUDICE
Social stigma:
Internalisation of others evaluation/internalised stigma:
Stereotype threat:
Social stigma: individuals are discriminated upon due to prejudices
Internalisation of others
evaluation/internalised stigma: individuals take on the misconceptions/prejudices, individuals comes to belief them
Stereotype threat: conformity based on stereotypes and prejudice about their group
Describe the ways in which the following can be used to change attitudes to reduce prejudice
Education:
Intergroup contact:
Direct experience:
Superordinate goals:
Education: developing skills and values such as empathy, community and tolerance
e.g., bullying no way, harmony day
Intergroup contact: prejudice can be reduced by interactions between groups. This benefits if there is ongoing contact, mutual interdependence (collaboration and cooperation), equal status, explicit social norms aimed at reducing prejudice
Direct experience: groups are working towards common goals can help overcome prejudice
Superordinate goals: experiencing another culture or experience for oneself
Our behaviour are a result of external and internal factors
Define these factors:
Internal:
External:
Internal: individuals’ abilities, personality, beliefs etc
External: environment, the action of others
