Social Influence

Question 1

Define Conformity

Answer 1

A change in opinion or behaviour because of real or imagined group pressure from the majority group of people.

Question 2

Define Internalisation

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Define Identification

Answer 3

A moderate type od 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 4

Define Compliance

Answer 4

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 5

Define Informational social influence (ISI)

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Define Normative social influence (NSI)

Answer 6

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 (see above).

Question 7

Define Group size

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Define Unanimity

Answer 8

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 naïve participants.

Question 9

Define Task difficulty

Answer 9

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

Question 10

Define Social roles

Answer 10

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 11

Define Obedience

Answer 11

A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order. The person issuing the order is usually a figure of authority, who has the power to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming.

Question 12

Define Situational variables

Answer 12

In his research Milgram identified several factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience shown by participants. They are all related to the external circumstances rather that to the personalities of the people involved, and include:

Question 13

Define Proximity

Answer 13

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 14

Define Location

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Define Uniform

Answer 15

People in positions of authority often have 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 16

Define Agentic state

Answer 16

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, i.e. as their agent. This frees us from the demands of our consciences and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure.

Question 17

Define Legitimacy of authority

Answer 17

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 individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.

Question 18

Define Dispositional explanation

Answer 18

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 19

Define Authoritarian personality

Answer 19

A type of personality that Adorno argues 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 20

Define Resistance to social influence

Answer 20

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 21

Define Social support

Answer 21

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 22

Define Locus of control (LOC)

Answer 22

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 locus of control). Externals believe it is mainly a matter of luck or other outside forces (external locus of control).

Question 23

Define Minority influence

Answer 23

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 24

Define Consistency

Answer 24

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 25

Define Commitment

Answer 25

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 26

Define Flexibility

Answer 26

Relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is see 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 27

Define Social influence

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Define Social change

Answer 28

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.