Social influence

Question 1

Indentification

Answer 1

A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes.

Question 2

Compliance

Answer 2

A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.

Question 3

Informational social influence (ISI)

Answer 3

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accepts it because we want to be correct as well. This may lead to internalisation.

Question 4

Normative social influence (NSI)

Answer 4

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. This may lead to compliance.

Question 5

Conformity

Answer 5

A change in a persons behaviour or opinion as a result of real or imagined pressure from people

Question 6

Asch - Group size

Answer 6

Asch increased the size of the group by adding more confederates, thus increasing the size of the majority. Conformity increased the group size, but only up to a point, levelling off when the majority was greater than 3

Question 7

Asch - Unanimity

Answer 7

The extent to which all the members of a group agree. In Asch’s studies, the majority was unanimous when all the confederates selected the same comparison line. This produced the greatest degree of conformity in the naive participants

Question 8

Asch - Task difficulty

Answer 8

Asch’s line-judging task is more difficult when it becomes harder to work out the correct answer. Conformity increases because naive participants assume that the majority is more likely to be right.

Question 9

Zimbardo - Social roles

Answer 9

The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups. Everyday examples include parent, child, student, passenger and so on. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role, for example caring, obedient, industrious, etc.

Question 10

Obedience

Answer 10

A form of social influence in which an individual

Question 11

Situational variables

Answer 11

Milgram identified several factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience shown by participants. They are all related to the external circumstances rather than to the personalities of the people involved.

Question 12

Situational variables - Proximity

Answer 12

The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving an order to. Also refers to the physical closeness of the teacher to the victim (learner) in Milgram’s studies

Question 13

Situational variables - Location

Answer 13

The place where an order is issued. The relevant factor that influences obedience is the status or prestige associated with the location.

Question 14

Situational variables - Uniform

Answer 14

People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority, for example police officers and judges. This indicates to the rest of us who is entitled to expect our obedience.

Question 15

Agentic state

Answer 15

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figuere, i.e

Question 16

Legitimacy of authority

Answer 16

An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us. This authority is justified (legitimate) by the individuals position of power within a social hierarchy.

Question 17

Internalisation

Answer 17

A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when the group is absent.

Question 17

Dispositional explanation

Answer 17

Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual’s personality (i.e their disposition). Such explanations are often contrasted with situational explanations.

Question 18

Authoritarian personality

Answer 18

A type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority. Such individuals are also thought to be submissive to those of higher status and dismissive of inferiors.

Question 19

Resistance to social influence

Answer 19

Refers to the ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority. This ability to withstand social pressure is influenced by both situational and dispositional factors.

Question 20

Social support

Answer 20

The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible.

Question 21

Locus of control (LOC)

Answer 21

Refers to the sense we each have about what directs events in our lives.
Internals believe they are mostly responsible for what happens to them (internal LOC).
Externals believe it is mainly a matter of luck or other outside forces (external LOC).

Question 22

Minority influence

Answer 22

A form of social influence in which a minority of people (sometimes just one person) persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. Leads to internalisation or conversion, in which private attitudes are changed as well as public behaviours.

Question 23

Consistency

Answer 23

Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs, both over time and between all the individuals that form the minority. It’s effective because it draws attention to the minority view.

Question 24

Synchronic consistency

Answer 24

They’re all saying the same thing

Question 25

Diachronic consistency

Answer 25

They’ve all been saying the same thing for some time now.

Question 28

Commitment

Answer 28

Minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrates dedication to their position, for example, by making personal sacrifices. This is effective because it shows the minority is not acting out of self-interest

Question 29

Flexibility

Answer 29

Relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is seen by the majority as unbending and unreasonable. Therefore minority influence is more effective if the minority show flexibility by accepting the possibility of compromise.

Question 30

Social influence

Answer 30

The process by which individuals and groups change each others attitudes and behaviours. Includes conformity, obedience and minority influence.

Question 31

Social change

Answer 31

This occurs when whole societies, rather than just individuals, adopt new attitudes, beliefs and ways of doing things. Examples include accepting that the Earth orbits the Sun, women’s suffrage, gay rights and environmental issues.