Social Influence Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is Social Psychology?
The study of how people’s behaviours and attitudes are influenced by the presence – actual or imagined – of other people.
What is a social group?
A group of two or more people who interact together, share things in common, and share a common identity.
What are social norms?
Unwritten rules for how members of a social group are expected to behave.
What are social roles?
Behaviours and beliefs expected of a person with a particular position in a social group.
What is conformity?
When a person’s private or public attitude is influenced by the majority. It involves a change or formation of a new attitude.
What is compliance in conformity?
A type of conformity where a person conforms publicly but not privately to be accepted and avoid social rejection. It’s short-lived and weak.
What is identification in conformity?
A type of conformity where a person conforms publicly and privately to be like a role model or social role they admire. It’s medium in strength.
What is internalisation in conformity?
A type of conformity where a person conforms publicly and privately because they are persuaded that the attitudes of the majority are correct. It’s long-lasting and strong.
What was the aim of Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
To investigate if prison brutality happens because of the personality of guards and prisoners or because they are conforming to social roles.
What was the procedure of Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
Conducted in Stanford University’s basement made into a mock prison. 24 male volunteers were randomly assigned as prisoners or guards. Prisoners were arrested and dressed accordingly. Guards were given uniforms and observed in a controlled lab environment.
What were the findings of Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
Prisoners tried to rebel, guards responded aggressively. Guards became increasingly brutal; prisoners submissive. Some prisoners experienced psychological trauma. The experiment was stopped after 6 days.
What was the conclusion of Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
Prison violence is caused by people conforming to social roles. Normal men became brutal when given power, showing violence is driven by the situation, not personality.
What variables affect conformity?
Group size, unanimity, and task difficulty.
When is conformity high?
When group size is larger, unanimity is high, and the task is more difficult.
When is conformity low?
When group size is smaller, unanimity is low, and the task is less difficult.
What are situational variables that affect conformity?
Group size, unanimity, and task difficulty.
What are dispositional (individual) variables that affect conformity?
Personality, mood, gender, and culture.
What is normative social influence?
The desire to be liked. Going along with the group even when we disagree to avoid rejection. Public and private attitudes do not match.
What is informational social influence?
The desire to be right. Conforming in situations where the right action is uncertain. Public and private attitudes match.
When does normative social influence explain conformity?
When social pressure is high.
What does normative social influence explain well?
Compliance.
What can normative social influence not explain?
Why people conform when social pressure is low.
When does informational social influence explain conformity?
When social pressure is low.
What does informational social influence explain well?
Internalisation.
