Social Influence Key Terms

Question 1

Conformity

Answer 1

A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people

Question 2

Internalisation

Answer 2

A deep type of conformity when we take 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 3

Identification

Answer 3

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

Question 4

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

Informational Social Influence

Answer 5

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we belive it’s correct. We accept it because we want to be correct as well. This may lead to internalisation

Question 6

Normative Social Influence

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

Question 7

Group Size

Answer 7

Asch increased the size of the group by adding more confederates, this increasing the size of the majority

Question 8

Unanimity

Answer 8

The extent to which all group members agree

Question 9

Task Difficulty

Answer 9

Asch’ s line judging task is more difficult when it becomes harder to work out the correct answer

Question 10

Social Roles

Answer 10

The “parts” people play as members of various social roles. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role

Question 11

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

Proximity

Answer 12

The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving the order to

Question 13

Location

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Uniform

Answer 14

People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority. 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 yourself to be acting for an authority figure. This frees us from the demands of our conscious and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure

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 by the individuals power within the social hierarchy

Question 17

Dispostional Explanation

Answer 17

Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individuals personality. Such explanations are often contrasted with situational variables

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 a higher status and dismissive of interiors

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 dispostional 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

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Minority Influence

Answer 22

A form of social influence in which a minority of people persuade others to adopt their believes,attitudes or behaviours. Leads to internalisation or conversion

Question 23

Consistency

Answer 23

Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs, both over time and between all individuals of the group. It’s effective as it draws attention

Question 24

Commitment

Answer 24

Minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrates dedication to the cause. This is effective as it shows the minority is not acting out of self interest

Question 25

Flexibility

Answer 25

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 26

Social Influence

Answer 26

The process by which individuals and groups change each other’s attitudes and behaviours

Question 27

Social Change

Answer 27

This occurs when whole societies rather than just individuals adopt new attitudes,beliefs and ways of doing things

Question 28

Two Process Theory

Answer 28

In relation to social influence, used to describe the two process that describe conformity, NSI and ISI

Question 29

nAffiliators

Answer 29

People who have a need for affiliation