9: Conformity

Question 1

A change in one’s behaviour due to the real or imagined influence of people is called:

Answer 1

conformity.

Question 2

The rapid spread of emotions or behaviours through a crowd, is called a:

Answer 2

contagion.

Question 3

People’s perceptions of how people actually behave in given situations, regardless of whether the behaviour is approved or disapproved of by others, is called:

(Hint: DN)

Answer 3

descriptive norms.

Question 4

The tolerance a person earns, over time, by conforming to group norms; if enough is earned, can on occasion, behave deviantly without retribution from the group. These are called:

(Hint: IC)

Answer 4

Idiosyncrasy credits.

Question 5

The influence of other people that leads us to conform because we see them as a source of information to guide our behaviour; we conform because we believe that others interpretation of an ambiguous situation is more correct than ours and will help us choose an appropriate course of action.

This is called:

(Hint: ISI)

Answer 5

Informational Social Influence

Question 6

People’s perceptions of what behaviours are approved or disapproved of by others, are called:

(Hint: IN)

Answer 6

Injunctive Norms

Question 7

The occurrence in a group of people of similar physical symptoms with no know medical cause, is called:

(Hint: MPI)

Answer 7

Mass Psychogenic Illness

Question 8

The case where a minority of group members influences then behaviour or beliefs of the majority, is called:

(Hint: MI)

Answer 8

Minority Influence

Question 9

Conforming to other people’s behaviour, out of a genuine belief that what they are doing or saying is right, is called:

(Hint: PA)

Answer 9

Private Acceptance

Question 10

Conforming to others people’s behaviour publicly, without necessarily believing in what the other people are doing or saying, is called:

(Hint: PC)

Answer 10

Public Compliance

Question 11

The idea that conforming to social influence depends on the groups importance, immediacy, and number of people in the group, is called:

(Hint: SIT)

Answer 11

Social Impact Theory

Question 12

The implicit and explicit rules a group has for acceptable behaviours, values and beliefs of its members, are called:

Answer 12

social norms.

Question 13

What are the 2 main reasons people conform?

Hint: ISI and NSI

Answer 13

1. Informational Social Influence.

2. Normative Social Influence.

Question 14

Informational Social Influence normally results in:

Answer 14

private acceptance.

Question 15

In what situation does the tendency to conform to Informational Social Influence increase?

Answer 15

When there is a need to be accurate.

Question 16

What is a potential social problem caused by Informational Social Influence?

Answer 16

Contagions such as mass psychogenic illness.

Question 17

What are the 3 typical situations in which people conform to Informational Social Influence?

Answer 17

1. Ambiguous situations.
2. Times of crisis.
3. Experts are present.

Question 18

The need to be accepted results is called:

Answer 18

Normative Social Influence

Question 19

Normative Social Influence occurs when we conform to the groups _____ _____ via _____ compliance.

Answer 19

Normative Social Influence occurs when we conform to the groups social norms via public compliance.

Question 20

Normative Social Influence usually results in _____ ______, but not _____ ______.

Answer 20

Normative Social Influence usually results in public compliance, but not private acceptance.

Question 21

Describe the results of Asch experiment on conformity ad social approval.

Answer 21

People would conform most of the time, to the obviously wrong answer of the group.

Question 22

When are people most likely to resist Normative Social Influence?

Answer 22

When they need to be accurate.

Question 23

What is the possible consequence of resisting Normative Social Influence?

Answer 23

Ostracism, ridicule and rejection by the group.

Question 24

What does normative social influence promote in everyday society?

Answer 24

Social cohesion and politeness.

Question 25

What theory explains when people will conform to Normative Social Influence?

Answer 25

Social Impact Theory

Question 26

In what culture are people more likely to conform to Normative Social Influence?

Answer 26

Collectivist cultures.

Question 27

How can we use social influence to promote socially beneficial behaviour in others?

Answer 27

We can use injunctive norms.

Question 28

What is the famous experiment that demonstrated obedience to authority in the face of ambiguity?

Answer 28

Stanley Milgram experiment.