Chapter 8

Question 1

Mass Psychogenic illness

Answer 1

the occurrence of similar physical symptoms, with no known physical cause, in a group of people

Question 2

Social Impact Theory

Answer 2

the idea that conforming to social influence depends on the strength of the group’s importance, its immediacy, and the number of people in the group

Question 3

Idiosyncrasy Credits

Answer 3

the tolerance a person earns, over time, by conforming to group norms; if enough idiosyncrasy credits are earned, the person can, on occasion, behave deviantly without retribution from the group

Question 4

Injunctive norms

Answer 4

people’s perceptions of what behaviors are approved or disapproved of by others (more powerful than descriptive)

Question 5

Descriptive norms

Answer 5

People’s perceptions of how people actually behave in given situations, regardless of the injunctive norm

Question 6

Boomerang effect

Answer 6

individuals who are “below average” increase their behavior to match the average (drinking, energy usage, etc)