Social psychology key terms

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  • Created by: gemshort
  • Created on: 10-01-18 14:05
Conformity
A change in a person's behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group
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Internalisation
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
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Identification
A moderate type of conformity where we conform to the group because we value and want to be part of it, but we don't necessarily agree with everything the majority believes
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Compliance
A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view but privately disagree with it. The change in behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us
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Informational social influence (ISI)
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 right as well - this may lead to internalisation
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Normative social influence (NSI)
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and liked - this may lead to compliance
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Group size (Asch)
Asch increased the size of the group by adding more confederates, increasing the size of the majority. Conformity increased with group size but only up to a certain extent, levelling off when the majority was greater than three
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Unanimity (Asch)
The extent to which all members of the group agree. In Asch's study, the majority was unanimous when all the confederates selected the same comparison line. This produced the greatest degree of conformity in the naive participants
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Task difficulty (Asch)
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
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Social roles
The 'parts' people play as members of various social groups. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour for each role
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Obedience
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
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Situational variables
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 the personalities of the participants
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Proximity
The physical closeness of an authority figure to the person they are giving an order to. Also refers to the closeness of the teacher to the learner in Milgram's studies
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Location
The place where an order is issued; the relevant factor that influences obedience is the status/prestige associated with the location
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Uniform
People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority. This indicates to us who is entitled to and expects our obedience
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Agentic state
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure (as their agent). This frees us from the demands of our consciences
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Legitimacy of authority
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 individual's position of power within a social hierarchy
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Dispositional explanation
Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual's personality. Such explanations are often contrasted with situational explanations
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Authoritarian personality
A type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying authority figures. Such individuals are submissive to those of higher status and dismissive of people with inferior status
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Resistance to social influence
Refers to the ability of people to withstand social pressure to conform to the majority or obey authority. The ability to withstand social pressure is influenced by both situational and dispositional factors
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Social support
The presence of people who resist pressure to conform/obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible
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Locus of control (LOC)
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; externals believe it is mainly a matter of luck/they have little control
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Minority influence
A form of social influence in which a minority persuades others to adopt their beliefs/behaviour. Leads to internalisation or conversion, in which private attitudes are changed as well as public behaviour
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Consistency
Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs, both over time and between the group members. It is effective because it draws attention to the minority view
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Commitment
Minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrates dedication to their cause, e.g. by making personal sacrifices. This is effective as it shows that the minority is not acting out of self-interest
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Flexibility
Minority influence is more effective if the minority show flexibility by accepting the possibility of compromise
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Social influence
The process by which individuals/groups change each other's attitudes and behaviours; includes conformity, obedience and minority influence
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Social change
Occurs when whole societies adopt new beliefs/behaviours. Examples include women's suffrage, gay rights and environmental issues
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

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

Back

Internalisation

Card 3

Front

A moderate type of conformity where we conform to the group because we value and want to be part of it, but we don't necessarily agree with everything the majority believes

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

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

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

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 right as well - this may lead to internalisation

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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