Evaluating explanations of why people obey

Advantages

• Nomative social influence- Asch's 1951 study showed most participants conformed to fit in.
• Practical value is shown in Garandeau and Cillessen's study 2006, where a group could be manipulated by one skillful bully into the victimisation of one child, giving the group a common goal.
• Informational social influence has been supported by Wittenbrink and Henly 1996 when participants were exposed to negative views on African-Americans (when a majority held this view), it was later found that a majority held negative views towards a black target indivudal.
• Social impact theory: Sedikides and Jackson 1990 found that high strength and high immediacy sources exerted more impact than any other combination.

Disadvantages