Case Studies - Social Influence

Question 1

Sherif (1985)

Answer 1

AIM: Demonstrate conformity with Autokinetic Effect
PROCEDURE: 3 stages of estimate (alone, together, alone)
FINDINGS: Ambiguity led to conformity - internalisation

Question 2

Asch (1951)

Answer 2

AIM: Would PPs give wrong answers in obvious scenarios?
PROCEDURE: Two cards, with 3 lines and 1 line - match-up task
FINDINGS: 32% Conformed Incorrectly; 74% conformed >0
Interviews: Signs of Normative & Informational SI

Question 3

Eagli & Carly (1981)
+
Eagly (1987)

Answer 3

• Analysed conformity data - found males and females differed most when audiences created group pressure
• Believed conformity in men and women differs due to social role
  -> Women don’t like group conflict = more conformity
  -> Men have to be assertive & independent = less conformity

Question 4

Perrin & Spencer (1980)

Answer 4

Replicated Asch on engineering students
-> No support for conformity = down to culture?

Question 5

Smith & Bond (1996)

Answer 5

Meta-Analysis of 100 studies
-> Collectivist > Individualist - Conformity

Question 6

Rosander (2012)

Answer 6

Online quiz - conformity increased when task was more difficult
(LINKS TO ASCH VARIATION)

Question 7

Wiesenthal et al (1976)

Answer 7

Confident PPs conform LESS

Question 8

Deutsch & Gerard (1955)

Answer 8

Categorised motivation to conform into…
Normative and Informational

Question 9

Milgram (1963)

Question 10

Zimbardo - SPE (1971)

Question 11

Orlando (1973)

Answer 11

Mock psychiatric ward with 51 pps:
- 29 staff members volunteered as patients
- 22 did their job as usual
Mock patients acted like real patients.
(6 tried to escape)
Staff began to empathise more as a result.

Question 12

Reicher & Haslam (2006)

Answer 12

Recreation of Zimbardo’s SPE
- Filmed for broadcasting
- Ethics committee set up
- Tested daily
Failed - guards had weak group identity, prisoners had strong group identity.

Question 13

Adorno et al (1950)

Answer 13

Authoritarian Personality -
Personality stems from early childhood experiences.
High AP = Obedient
Low AP = Rebellious
DESIGNED THE F SCALE
(f = fascist)

Question 14

Personality type -> AP Correlation

Elms & Milgram

1966

Answer 14

Found correlation between personality type and AP.

Question 15

1983

Spector

Answer 15

High external LOC = More conformity
(Only when involving normative SI)

Question 16

1998

Moghaddam

Answer 16

Japanese people conform more easily than Americans & have higher external LOC. Thus showing link between LOC and cultural differences.

Question 17

1967, 1991

Holland & Bliss

Answer 17

Those with internal LOC are better at SI resistance than external.
+ HIgher internal LOC more able to resist if forced or suspecting manipulation