Key Terms Flashcards
Conformity
A change in a persons behaviour or views as a result of real or imagined pressure from peers
Internalisation
Deepest form of conformity. A public and private change in views/ behaviour. take on majority view as we believe it is correct
Identification
Act in the same way as the group because we value the group in some way
Compliance
Simplest type of conformity. Publicly agree but privately disagree. Only lasts as long as the pressure does and so is temporary
Informational social influence
Explanation of conformity the says we agree with the majority because we believe it to be correct. Lead to internalisation
Normative social influence
Explanation that says we agree because we want to be accepted and liked. Lead to compliance
Group size
Asch increased group size by adding more confederates. Conformity increased with group size but only to a point
Unanimity
Extent to which all members of a group agree. In Asch’s when all confederates were in unanimity, conformity was highest
Task difficulty
In Asch’s study, conformity increased when the task became more difficult
Social roles
The parts people play in society of various social groups e.g. parent, teacher
Obedience
Form of social influence in which an individual follows direct order
Situational variables
Milgram identified several factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience
Proximity
Physical closeness of an authority five to the person they are giving an order to
Location
Place where an order is issued
Uniform
People in positions of authority usually have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority
Agentic state
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for na authority figure
Legitimacy of authority
Explanation for obedience which suggests we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us
Dispositional explanation
Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individuals personality
Authoritarian personality
Adorno argued this was a personality that was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority
Resistance to social influence
Refers to ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority. Influenced by situational and dispositional factors
Social support
Presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others
Locus of control
Internals- they are mostly responsible for what happens
Externals- believe it is a matter of luck or other outside forces
Minority influence
Form of social influence in which a minority of people persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours
Consistency
Minority influence is most effective if minority keeps same beliefs over time and between people in the group
Commitment
Minority influence is more powerful if minority dedication to their position
Flexibility
Minority influence os more effective if they show flexibility by accepting possibility of compromise
Social influence
Process by which individuals and groups change each others attitudes and behaviours
Social change
Occurs when societies adopt new beliefs and ways of doing things
