Social Influence

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  • Created by: KatyN
  • Created on: 09-05-16 18:16
What is meant by the term conformity
A form of social influence whereby an individual complies to a majority view.
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Explain normative social influence
A form of social influence whereby and individual feels as if under surveillance by the group, and so complies with the majority view in order to gain approval or avoid disapproval
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Explain the role of group size as a variable affecting conformity
An increase of majority is proportional to an increase in the rate of conformity. Although it depends on the judgement, with questions that have an objectively correct answer needing less people to sway the individuals than subjective questions
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Explain the role of unanimity as a variable affecting conformity
Asch's repeated study with one ally confederate consistently giving the correct answer, reduced the rate of conformity considerably.then where a confederate gave a different incorrect answer also decreased conformity- fear or standing out alone
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Explain the role of task difficulty as a variable affecting conformity
The more difficult the task (I.e in Asch's exp making the lines mroe ambiguous) levels of conformity increase, although those confident in their abilities remained independant. Self-efficacy plays role in conformity also.
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Outline how one study of conformity to social roles was carried out.
Stanford prison experiment by Zimbardo. Volunteers were assigned prison roles as either guards or prisoners. Stopped after 6 days as guards became increasingly sadistic and prisoners increasingly submissive.
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Explain the role of proximity as a variable affecting obedience
In milgrams study for example, being in the same room as the learner made obedience levels drop as the person could see the others suffering. If person giving orders not in room obedience levels lowest
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Explain the role of location as a variable affecting obedience
If the establishment seems to be of prestigious value, levels of obedience are higher than if not. E.g in Milgram's study when researched moved to run down office, obedience decreased to 48% delivering max voltage.
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Explain the role of uniform as a variable affecting obedience
Similar to the idea of location, if someone is wearing uniform associated with authority, for example a policeman or soldier, obedience levels will increase. Uniforms are easily recognisable and convey power and authority.
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Outline the role of the agentic state in obedience.
The agentic state is a state of being in which someone regards themselves an agent carrying out someones will. They feel responsible to the person directing them but not to the consequences of their actions, as they were just carrying out orders
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Outline the role of legitimacy of authority in obedience
A legitimate authority enables an individual to give potentially harmful or destructive orders without being questioned, because people accept the authority as true, e.g Soldier, laboratory scientist.
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Explain what is meant by an Authoritarian personality
A personality characteristic whereby an individual is more likely to adhere strictly to conventional values and believes strongly in absolute obedience to authority
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Explain the dispositional explanation for obedience
The idea that an individuals specific personality patterns affect their obedience tendances as well as situational factors.
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Explain what is meant by minority influence
A form of social influence whereby the majority view is changed via longterm exposure to a persuasive minority.
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Explain one criticism of the role of commitment in minority influence
The majority can quickly become irritated by a persistant dissenting view and they also fear a lack of harmony, as a result too much commitment or stubbornness may backfire and create an opposite effect.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Explain normative social influence

Back

A form of social influence whereby and individual feels as if under surveillance by the group, and so complies with the majority view in order to gain approval or avoid disapproval

Card 3

Front

Explain the role of group size as a variable affecting conformity

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Explain the role of unanimity as a variable affecting conformity

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Explain the role of task difficulty as a variable affecting conformity

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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