social influence Flashcards
(60 cards)
1
Q
what’s meant by conformity?
A
form of social influence that results from exposure to majority position + leads to compliance.
to adopt behaviour/attitudes of other members of a reference group.
2
Q
what does the term compliance refer to ?
A
- weakest form
- individuals accepts influence because they hope to achieve a favourable reaction from those around them
- attitude adopted not due to its content but rewards with its association with its adoption - not change persons ideology.
3
Q
what does the term internalisation refer to ?
A
strongest form
individuals may go along with the group because of acceptance of their views.
encouraged to engage in validation process, examining own beliefs to see if they/others is right . acceptance both publicly and privately.
4
Q
what does the term identification refer to?
A
form of influence where individual adopts an attitude as they want to be associated with particular person
both elements of compliance and internalisation
5
Q
outline normative social influence as an explanation of conformity
A
- form of influence —> individual conforms with expectations of the majority to gain approval
- humans have need for social
companionship - individuals must believe they under surveillance of group
- research: nial = ppl don’t internalise this view
6
Q
outline informative social influence as an explanation of conformity.
A
- form of influence —> results a desire to be right - looking to others as a way of gaining evident about reality
- likely to occur if situation is ambiguous/others are experts - changes their behaviour in line with the group position
7
Q
what is a strength of normative influence?
A
point: research support for normative influence like US - support role played ppl normative beliefs “smoking”
e: researchers found that adolescents exposed to simple message majority age peers not smoke = less likely take up smoking
e: supports the claim ppl shape their behaviour out of desire to fit in within reference group (power of NSI)
8
Q
what is a weakness of normative influence ?
A
- point: may not recognise behaviour of others as casual factor in own behaviour
- evidence: researchers investigated whether ppl detected influence of social influence of social norms on energy conservation behaviour
- explain : ppl believed behaviour neighbours had least impact on their own energy conservation but results showed strongest impact.
- link: suggests that ppl rly on beliefs what should motivate behaviours - under detect impact of NSI
9
Q
what’s a strength of informational influence ?
A
- point: research support for informational influence
- e: researchers found ppts exposed to negative info about african americans reported more negative attitudes towards black ppl
- e: info produced large shifts in judgments of candidate performance
- l: ISI important in shaping social behaviour
10
Q
what’s a weakness of informational influence ?
A
- point: features of the task moderate the impact of majority influence but there’s no way validating them
- e: deciding whether croydon is the most highly populated in england.
objective means of consulting stats BUT other judgements = cannot be used with objective criteria if croydon is fun - e: majorities should exert greater influence on social rather physical reality.
11
Q
what is the aim of asch’s study?
A
to see how lone “real” ppt would react to the behaviours of the confederates
12
Q
what was the method that asch used ?
A
- asked ppts to volunteer visual discrimination task
- 123 male US undergrads + asked to look at 3 lines or diff lengths + asked which of 3 lines was same as “standard”
- 12 of 18 trials = confeds instructed to give same incorrect answers
13
Q
what did asch find from his study?
A
- on 12 critical trials = average conformity rate is 33%
- 1/4 of ppts never conformed on any of the critical trials
- 1 in 20 ppts conformed all 12 critical trials
14
Q
what was the conclusion of asch’s study?
A
majority of ppts who conformed had continued privately to trust own perceptions but changed public behaviour
incorrect answers to avoid disapproval
15
Q
what are the variables affecting conformity?
A
- group size
- unanimity of the majority
- difficulty of task
16
Q
how does group size affect conformity?
A
- as group size increase, so does conformity but to certain points
- two confed = conformity: 13%
- one real ppt and 3 confeds = 33% conformity rate
- when increased to 15 confeds = no. increased in conformity —> highest conformity = 3-5 ppts
- campbell + fairey: argued effect on G.S was dependent on type of conformity task itself
17
Q
how does unanimity of majority affect conformity ?
A
asch —> comfederates unanimously gave same wrong answer when real ppt given support / confederates gave right answers = conformity levels dropped 33% to 5.5%
- if dissenter gave answer diff majority + was true answer = dropped to 9%
18
Q
how does difficulty of task affect conformity ?
A
- he made the lines very similar to another in length:
- results found conformity increased in circumstances except those deemed to have high levels self-efficacy.
- informational SI becomes dominant force
- lucas et al. found influence T.D moderated by self efficacy of ppl who were confident in their own abilities when t.d high.
19
Q
what’s a strength of asch study?
A
- point: conducted in laboratory setting
- e: enabled to have control over variables + certain confed were the ones influencing response
+ able replicate study - e: help researchers check reliability of results to be consistent + show study has validity
- counter = lacks ecological validity, conducted lab setting.
—> environment not realistic of real word situations as all ppts in artificial environment + aware being monitored
—> lacks mundane realism
20
Q
what are some weaknesses of asch study
A
- his findings are unique as research took place in particular period of US history when conformity was vital.
- 1956: strong anti-communist period where ppl scared to go against minority and more likely conform
- researchers tried repeat asch study in UK: found one conforming response out of 396 trials: majority unanimously gave same wrong answer.
—> conformity likely if perceived costs of not conforming are high. :asch study was a “child of its time”
21
Q
other issues and debates link ? asch study
A
cultural differences in conformity.
- we might be dependent on culture which study takes place in
- researchers analysed results asch-type studies across no. diff countries =
- individualist cultures = 25%
- collectivist cultures = 37%
- high level conformity in collectivst culture as it’s viewed more favourably due to culture migrating for behaviour/vary between C.C and I.C.
22
Q
define the term social roles
A
behaviours expected of individual who occupies a given position/ status
23
Q
what was the aim of zimbardos stanford prison experiment ?
A
to observe the interactions between the two groups in the absence of an authority figure
24
Q
what was zimbardos method ?
A
- mock prison, USA. male student volunteers physiologically + physically screened
- randomly assigned either prisoner or guard. given ID numbers and uniform
- guards given uniforms, whistles and wore reflective sunglasses to prevent eye contact
- study aimed to last 2 weeks
25
what did zimbardo find from his experiment ?
- first few days: guards grew increasingly tyrannical/abusive towards prisoners
- ppts appeared to forget that this was only a physiological study + 5 prisoners released early because of their extreme reactions - appeared after 2 days
- christina maslach reminded researchers this only psychological study + didn’t justify the abuse
26
what was the conclusions of zimbardos study
demonstrated both guards and prisoners conformed to their social roles.
guards = increasingly cruel + sadistic. prisoners = increasingly passive + accepting of their plight
27
what is a strength of zimbardo SPE?
p: study offers us insights to why some of the abuses that occurred at abu ghraib as they may have been subject to situational factors making abuse more likely
e: offers us possibility to reduce this with training and procedures for greater accountability.
counter: the role of free will has not been factored in as not everyone conforms so freely as BBC study demonstrates —> ignored in determining behaviours by zimbardo = undermines his study
28
what is a weakness of zimbardo SPE?
p: raised serious ethical concerns considering the level of distress ppts experienced
e: some reacted by crying, rage and zimbardo acknowledged the study should have been ended sooner
explain + link: therefore, recognising potential harm in studies like this, researchers may use the same basic set up as zimbardo —> with greater steps to minimise potential harm to ppts so less harmful situation.
counter = zimbardo offered debriefings for several years later, and concluded there’s no negative long term effects + it was approved by the standard ethics committee
29
what are some issues and debate link to zimbardo SPE?
- zimbardo supports deterministic view of behaviour as it shows how ppts actions strongly influenced by situational factors (assigned guard/prisoner)
- e.g: guards quickly became abusive + prisoners experienced emotional distress —> suggest behaviour largely shaped by external circumstances
- BUT: critics argue this downplays free will we ppl still have choice to resist even in oppressive situations
- link: experiment raises questions about whether behaviour is entirely shaped by situational factors or if free will plays a significant role
30
define the term, “obedience to authority.”
- obedience is a type of social influence whereby somebody acts in response to direct order from a figure with perceived authority.
31
what was the aim of milgrams study?
aimed to investigate the extent to which individuals would obey an authority figure, even when asked to perform actions that conflicted with their personal conscience
32
describe the method of milgrams study.
- milgram placed advert in local newspaper for male volunteers —> 40 ppts were told it was study of how punishment affects learning
- 2 experimental confeds = an experimenter + an introduced volunteer ppt. 2 ppts drew rigged lots to see who acts “teacher and who the “learner”
- everytime learner got answer wrong (ability to remember words) —> teacher administer shocks: start from 15v —> then max of 450v
- if “teacher” asked to stop: the experimenter had series of “prods” like “it’s absolutely essential that you must continue” “you must go on”
33
what did milgram find in his study?
- out of the 40 ppts: 62% of them went on to give the maximum shock of 450 volts.
- 100% of the ppts went up to 300 volts. only 5 ppt(12.5%) stopped administering shocks at 300 volts.
34
what did milgram conclude in his study?
milgram concluded that a significant number of ppl would obey authority figures to the extent of inflicting harm on others
situational factors may play a role in influencing ppts willingness to obey orders
35
what are the three situational factors affecting obedience ?
- proximity
- location
- the power of uniform
36
how does the situational factor proximity affect obedience? link it to milgram findings
proximity between teacher and learner has been found to affect obedience
- when experimenter left the room and gave orders over telephone more ppl able to resist with only 20% ppts going all the way 450v
- when teacher + learner in same room and teacher could see distress the learner going thru —> obedience rates declined to 40%
- in touch proximity condition (teacher force learners hand onto shock plate) —> rates dropped to further 30%
37
how does location affect obedience ? link it to milgram findings
milgram study: conducted at prestigious yale university
- he recreated obedience study in run-downtown office in connecticut - obedience rates fell 47.5% (48)
- suggests perceived legitimacy of authority figure lowered due to location + its context.
38
how does the “power of uniform” affect obedience? link it to milgram findings.
uniforms have powerful impact on obedience - easily recognisable and convey symbolised power with uniform itself.
- milgram study: researcher wore a white lab coat which believed to have added to his perceived authority
- researcher supported (bushman): female assistant dressed in police uniform asked ppl passing by to loan her money for parking meter
—> obedience rates high as 72% + lowered to 48% when dressed as businesswoman. + begger (52%)
39
what the strength of milgrams electric shock study?
p: high internal validity, which strengthens the credibility of its findings
e: study used standardised procedures like “prods” where ppts received same instructions from experimenter + equipment used was consistent across trials
e: this level of control over variables means the results likely to be result of experimental manipulation rather external factors
l: thus, high internal validity of milgram study helps support the idea that obedience to authority is importsnt factor in human behaviour —> controlled environment rules out alternative explanations
counter: study lacks ecological validity - due to artificial nature of experiment (electric shocks in lab setting) not reflect real world obedience. —> limits generalisability of findings to everyday life
40
what is the weakness of milgrams study?
p: it may lack historical validity: individuals may be tempted to dismiss the relevance of milgram’s study because it was carried out 50 years ago
e: researchers carried out statistical analysis of obedience studies. correlational analysis relating year of publication and amount obedience found —> no relationship whatsoever.
counter: burger in recent study found levels of obedience almost identical to those found in milgram study.
l: these findings suggest that milgrams findings still appear to apply as much as today as they did early 1960s.
41
Outline the role of the agentic state in obedience (4 marks)
- agentic state - a person seeing themselves as an agent for carrying out another person’s wishes.
- when an individual feels they have complete control they are autonomous and see themselves responsible for their own actions.
- however, when individual obeys authority figure they enter the ‘agentic state’ —> no longer see themselves as responsible for own behaviour
- people may adopt agentic state to maintain a positive self-image so will restrict behaviour + social etiquette that plays a part of staying in agentic state.
42
Outline one strength of the agentic state
- p: provides clear explanation for why individuals may engage in harmful behaviour when following orders from authority figure
- e: Milgram’s obedience study - ppts willing to administer increasingly severe shocks to a leaner as instructed by authority figure. —> continued to obey despite hearing leaner scream in pain
- e: did not feel responsible for the harm they caused as they viewed themselves as agent carry out out will of experimenter —> (felt less personal accountability)
- L: Thus, this theory is effective in explaining why individuals may act in ways they might otherwise find morally unacceptable.
C: a counterargument - agentic state oversimplifies human behaviour + not account for individual differences in obedience.
—> fails to explain why some one-third of (12/40) ppts in milgram study defied authority + refused to continue administering shocks despite commands
—> challenges agentic state theory - other factors: personality - also influence whether someone obeys or resists authority.
43
Outline one weakness of the agentic state
- P: A criticism of the agentic state - faults to explain the very gradual and irreversible transition Lifton found when studying German doctors working in Auschwitz
- E: Lifton found that ordinary doctors who originally cared for only the wellbeing of their patients had turned into men and women capable of carrying out vile and lethal experiments on helpless prisoners
- E: this suggests that the doctors slowly adapted to their roles through continuous exposure to violence, which changed their attitudes/behaviour.
- L: this gradual shift in behaviour, suggests that the agentic state cannot fully explain harmful actions but the importance of situational factors and prolonged influence of authority, rather is shifting into agentic state in response to commands
44
Outline the role of legitimacy of authority in obedience (4 marks)
- a person who is perceived to be in a position of social control within a situation —> agentic state achieved if person giving order has legitimate authority to do so
- people socialised from early age to accept hierarchy of power exists within society —> early childhood = taught we acceptable if we obey those who have authority over us
- milgram stated there’s a shared expectation that most situations has appropriate authority figure controlling the situation
- obedience high at 65% shock experiment conducted at prestigious Yale uni. But 48% in office in downtown NY. - setting reduced the perceived legitimacy of authority from experimenter
45
Outline one strength of legitimacy of authority
P: Tarnow provided support for the power of legitimate authority through a study of aviation accidents
E: using data from US national transportation safety board (NTSB), a review of serious aircraft accidents in the US conducted using flight voice recorder where flight crew actions contributed to crash
E: He found excessive dependence on captains authority and expertise and said nothing, even when the crew noticed the captain take a risky approach - lack of monitoring 19 out of 37 accidents
L: this provides real life demonstration of the power of legitimate authority to enforce obedience in those around them.
46
Outline one weakness of legitimacy of authority.
- P: Although there’s positive consequences of obedience to legitimate authority, its vital top note legitimacy can serve as the basis for justifying harm of others
- E: if people authorise another person to make judgements for them about what’s appropriate conduct, they no longer feel like their own moral values are relevant for this behaviour
- E: This suggests that when directed by perceived legitimate authority figure to engage in immoral actions, people are alarmingly wiling to do so
- L: thus, people may readily engage in unquestioning obedience to authority, no matter how destructive and immoral the actions are
47
Briefly explain what is meant by the ‘Authoritarian personality.’ (2 marks)
- a dispositional explanation whereby a distinct personality pattern characterised by strict adherence to conventional values + belief in obedience to authority.
48
Explain the dispositional explanation for obedience. (4 marks)
- authoritarian personality - provided explanation for why some ppl require little pressure in order to obey.
- California ‘F scale’ used by Adorno et al. - 30 questions assessing 9 personality dimensions.
- individuals with this type of personality were rigid thinkers who obeyed authority + enforced strict adherence to social rules
- Adorno found ppl who scored high in F scale tended to have been raised by parents who used an authoritarian parenting style —> growing up, they acquire same authoritarian attitude through learning and imitation
49
Outline one research study relating to the authoritarian personality explanation of obedience. F
- elms and milgram —> follow up study: 20 ‘obedient’ ppts and 20 ‘defiant’ ppts. Each ppt completed the MMPI scale and California F scale to measure their levels of authoritarianism - also asked about their r/s w parents during childhood
- found little difference between obedient and defiant ppts on MMPI variables.
- But, higher levels authoritarianism with ppts classified as obedient compared to defiants
—> significant difference between obedient and defiant participants that were consistent with idea of authoritarian personality.
50
Evaluate elms and milgrams research support
- carried out interviews with subsample of participants from Milgrams obedience study - found that of those who fully obedient went up to 450 volts also scored highly on tests of authoritarianism + lower on scores on social responsibility than those who defied the experimenter —> supporting Adorno’s claims
- elms found that ppts who took part in milgram’s obedience study + were most obedient were rated by F scale as more authoritarian than ppts who resisted which supports the link between the authoritarian personality type + obedience
51
Explain one strength of the authoritarian personality explanation of obedience.
- P: research evidence for the authoritarianism and obedience link
- E: researchers overcame the suspicion about whether ppts really believed they were giving electric chocks by using ‘immersive virtual environment’
—> actor took role of learner filmed and displayed on a computer screen = informed that experiment was stimulation
- E: this suggests, ppts tended to respond as if situation was real, so there’s clear and significant correlation between ppts scores and max voltage shock to victim
- L: ppts who displayed higher levels of RWA were the ones who obeyed the most, confirming the link between authoritarianism and obedience
52
Explain one weakness of the authoritarian personality.
- ziller et al. Found Nazi war criminals scored highly on 3 of the personality dimensions of Adornos F-scale questionnaire but not all 9.
- this gives limited support for the authoritarian personality suggestion it has limited validity.
53
Briefly explain what is meany by ‘minority influence.’
- a form of social influence where members of the majority group changes their beliefs/behaviours as a result of their exposure to a persuasive minority. ‘Conversion’ process.
54
Outline the role of consistency in minority influence
- minority influence is most effective when the group maintains a consistent unchanging stance as this shows confidence and appears unbiased.
- researchers —> meta-analysis of 97 studies of minority influence + found minorities who perceived as being consistent in expressing their position was influential.
55
Outline the role of commitment in minority influence
- the degree to which members of a minority are dedicated to a particular cause. - the greater perceived commitment, the greater the influence.
56
Outline the role of flexibility in minority influence
- a willingness to be flexible and to compromise when expressing a position.
- showing to be flexible -> able to be reasonable which more persuade than a group that is rigid, narrow-minded to work with.
- in contrast - minority group which TOO flexible in own beliefs —> show themselves as inconsistent so moderate level flexibility most effective.
57
Describe Moscovici et al. research into minority influence.
- 4 naive participants and minority of 2 confeds.
- shown series of blue slides that varied in intensity + asked to judge the colour.
- ‘consistent’ experimental condition = 2 confeds repeatedly said blue slides ‘green’ + ‘inconsistent’ condition = confeds called slides ‘green’ two-thirds of trials
- findings = consistent minority influenced naive ppts to say ‘green’ on over 8% of the trials. - demonstrates that although levels of conformity are nowhere near great as majority influence. Inconsistent < consistent minority.
58
Outline one strength of research into minority influence
- P: research support for flexibility in a stimulated jury situation.
- E: group members discussed amount of compensation to be paid to someone involved in a ski-lift accident. When confed put alternative point of view + refused to change position = no effect on group members
- E: this shows some degree of shift towards the majority, exerting an influence on the rest of the group. —> evident those who shifted late in negotiations rather shifted earlier.
L: suggests that flexibility is only effective at changing majority opinion in certain circumstances.
59
Outline one weakness of research into minority influence.
- P: a criticism in this study is all participants were females and results gained from just one gender may not translate to males due to gender bias in findings
E: argued that group of men would be less likely to be persuaded due to differences in how they are socialised compared to women.
E: research suggests women’s re more conformist than men and results for a mixed group may also be different between men and women
L: therefore, this study lacks external validity to real world settings where both genders interact daily.
60
Describe what is meant by social norms interventions
- attempt to correct misconceptions of the normative behaviour of peers in an attempt to change the risky behaviour of target population.
