Factors affecting conformity to majority influence Flashcards

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1
Q

Conformity

A

Matching the behaviour and beliefs of others in order to fit in or because we dont know how to behave in an unusual situation

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2
Q

Compliance

A

Going along with majority even though you privately disagree

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3
Q

Normative social influence

A

Compliance because of the need to fit into a group

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4
Q

Internalisation

A

Going along with the majority because we do not know how to behave in a situation- we adopt the beliefs of the group

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5
Q

Informational social influence

A

The change in opinions or behaviour that occurs when we conform to people who have accurate information

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6
Q

Identification

A

Temporarily adopting the behaviours of a role model or group

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7
Q

Asch (1951, 1955) procedure

A

Tested conformity by showing participants two white large cards at a time. One card was a standard line and the other was three comparison lines. One of the comparison lines matched the standard line. Participants were asked which of the lines matched the standard. Confederates (Actors for the study) were asked to give the wrong answer.

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8
Q

Asch (1951, 1955) findings

A

Approximately 32% of the participants conformed to the wrong answer

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9
Q

Situational factors affecting conformity

A

Size of majority
Unanimity of majority
Task difficulty/ ambiguity

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10
Q

Size of majority

A

When there was one confederate in Asch’s study, conformity was 3%
When there was 2, conformity was 13%
The optimal number for majority influence appears to be 3-4 people (32% conformity)

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11
Q

Unanimity of majority

A

In Asch’s study, if most confederates picked the wrong line but one picked the right line, the participant was less likely to conform

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12
Q

Task difficulty/ambiguity

A

In Asch’s study, when all three lines were similar to the standard line, he found a higher rate of conformity as the task was more ambiguous

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13
Q

Personality factor

A

Locus of control

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14
Q

What is locus of control

A

Locus of control is the part of our personality that refers to how much control we believe we have over our own behaviour

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15
Q

External locus of control

A

Someone with an external locus of control is more likely to obey because they are less likely to take responsibility for their own actions and blame it on someone else

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16
Q

Internal locus of control

A

Someone with an Internal locus of control is less likely to obey and are more independent and likely to take responsibility for their actions