Key Terms Flashcards
Define compliance
The occurrence when an individual accepts influence becusee they hope to achieve a favourable reaction from those around them. An attitude or behaviour is adopted not because of its content, but because of the rewards or approval associated with its adoption
Define conformity
A form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position and leads to compliance with that position. It is the tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes and values of the other members of a reference group.
Define identification
A form of influence where an individual adopt an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular group or person
Define Informational social influence
A form of influence which is the result of a desire to be right, looking to others as a way of gaining evidence about reality
Define internalisation
When an individual accepts influence becuse the content of the attitude or behaviour proposed is consistent with their own value system
Define normative social influence
A form or influence whereby an individual conforms with the expectations of the majority in order to gain approval or to avoid social disapproval
Define social roles
Social roles are the behaviours expected of an individual who occupies a given social position or status
Define obedience to authority
Obedience refers to a type of social influence whereby somebody acts in response to a direct order from a fugue which perceived authority. The here is also the implication that the person receiving the order is made to respond in a way that they would not otherwise have done without the order
Define the agentic state
A person sees himself or herself as an agent for carrying out another persons wishes
Define legitimate authority
A person who is perceived to be in a position of social control within a situation
Define the authoritarian personality
A distinct personality pattern characterised by strict adherence to conventional values and a belief in absolute obedience to authority
Define dispositional
Explanations of behaviours such as obedience emphasise them being caused by an individual’s own personal characteristics rather than situational influences within the environment
Define the F Scale
The California F Scale (F for fascism) was developed as b California in 1947 as a measure of authoritarian traits or tendencies
Define right-wing authoritarianism
A cluster of personality variables (conventionalism, authority submission and authoritarian aggression) that are associated with a right wing approach to life
Define locus of control
People differ on their beliefs about whether the outcomes of their actions are dependant on what they do (int) or on events outside their personal control (ext)
Define internal LOC
Individuals who tend to believe that they’re responsible for their behaviour and experience rather than external forces
Define external LOC
Individuals who tend to believe that their behaviour and experience is caused by events outside their control
Define social support
The perception that an individual has assistance available from other people, and they’re part of a supportive network
Define commitment
The degree to which members of a minority are dedicated to a particular cause or activity. The grater the perceived commitment, the greater the influence
Define consistency
Minority influence is effective provided there is stability in the expressed position over time and agreement among different members of the minority
Define flexibility
A willingness to be flexible and to compromise when expressing a position
Define minority influence
A form of social influence where members of the majority group change their beliefs or behaviours as a result of their exposure to a persuasive minority
Define social change
Occurs when a society or section of society adopts a new belief or way of behaving which then becomes the widely accepted norm
Define social norms interventions
An attempt to correct misperceptions if the normative behaviour of peers in an attempt to change the risky behaviour of a target population
