L7 Influence of Others Decisions Flashcards
What is Informational social influence ?
Conform because we don’t have information on what is true
Leading to conversion and internalising the change in attitude
What is normative social influence ?
Conform to fit in with others
Leads to compliance and an external change but not internal
What is Asch’s 1952 study into normative social influenc e?
Unambiguous line length test results;
33% conformity
5% conformed to all
50% conformed to six or more
25% remained independent
Didn’t want to seem like an outcast in the group
What is the critical review of Asch ?
Group pressure was only enough for public conformity but PS were not actually internally persuaded
Private response condition = 12.5% conformity
What are the factors influencing conformity ?
Group size - greater conformity with larger groups
Unanimity - greater conformity when group is unanimous
Anonymity - conformity decreases when decisions are anonymous
Status - higher expertise members have more social influence
Explanations for behaviour - conform less when we understand the reason
Cultural norms - conformity is greater in interdependent cultures that focus on social harmony
What is referent informational influence ?
Where social identity shapes individual behaviour to be consistent with salient group identity
The more identification with the group, the more influenced
What is Milgram’s study into obedience ?
Near lethal electric shocks applied to fake PS connected to apparatus in a mock study
When authority was removed only 1 PS went to the full lethal 450v compared to over 50% in the original study
What are the factors influencing obedience ?
Closeness - unseen = 100% compliance, pounding on wall = 62.5%, visible = 40%
Proximity to equipment - holding hand = 30%
Legitimacy of authority - when not at Yale = 48%
Why would someone conform ?
Low self-esteem
Need for social support
Self control
Low IQ
High anxiety
Self blame
Authoritarian personality
Women
What did Burger find when replication Milgram’s study ?
Experiment terminated at 150v
79% of Milgram’s PS who delivered 150v continued to the end
Not significantly different to Milgram’s
No difference between men and women
What is groupthink ?
When decision making goes wrong
A mode of thinking in groups where desire to reach an agreement overrides rational decision making procedures
Decisions have little scrutiny
Refuse to seriously consider alternatives
What were the 4 US policies Janis said to have unfavourable outcomes ?
Pearl Harbour
Korean War
Bay of Pigs
Escalation o Vietnam War
What is the antecedents of the groupthink model ?
Excessive group cohesiveness
Lack of impartial leadership and of norms encouraging proper procedures
Ideological homogeneity of membership
High stress from external threat
What are the symptoms of the groupthink model ?
Invulnerability
The group must be right
Discredit contrary groups position
Stereotyping of outgroups
What is the evidence for groupthink ?
Case studies - coding and analysing real-word examples for antecedents and symptoms of groupthink
Experimental studies - lab or quasi-naturalistic groups
