Evaluation of Social Impact Theory

Question 1

List two strength of SIT?

Answer 1

• Supporting research evidence

- Testable theory

Question 2

List two weaknesses of SIT?

Answer 2

• Limiting- it doesn’t consider moral strain like Agency theory
• Individual differences

Question 3

Give one strength of SIT using SUPPORTING RESEARCH EVIDENCE

Answer 3

• In milgram’s study , strength has a huge impact on obedience and the power of someone in a lab coat and the prestigious setting creates more strength and leads to more social force.
• This is a strength because evidences like the variations show how important strength is to obedience as it creates social impact on participants for e.g. changes the way they act/obey

Question 4

Give one strength of SIT using TESTABLE THEORY

Answer 4

• The three factors: strength, immediacy, number can be measured in Milgram’s study ie. strength can be observed by the variation of wearing a lab coat which portrays status of figure.
• This is a strength because the theory is not based of opinions; instead it is observable, due to the measurable factors.

Question 5

Give one weakness of SIT using LIMITING THEORY

Answer 5

• e.g: in Milgram’s Study the participants experienced dissent and moral strain and SIT doesn’t discuss or consider this , unlike Agency theory.
• This is weakness because SIT cannot be an explanation of all the factors involved in obedience if it misses crucial factors like moral strain or autonomous state.

Question 6

Give one weakness of SIT using INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

Answer 6

• For example in Milgram’s study , 35% did not give shocks and there are possible factors like gender, culture that may be a part as to why they didn’t continue and the social impact theory doesn’t consider this.
• This is a weakness as obedience is more complex than presented in this theory.