Lecture 9 p2: behaviour in a social context

Question 1

how u react w/ ur friends vs parents

Social Behavior

Answer 1

The intricate array of actions and reactions exhibited by individuals in response to the presence or actions of others.

Question 2

Social Behaviour facts

Answer 2

● In groups, humans naturally engage in the creation of explicit rules and unspoken agreements, establishing a framework for interaction.
■ This phenomenon is evident in the development of cultural norms and societal structures.

Question 3

Norms

Answer 3

Socially accepted standards of behavior often lack a transparent rationale for their existence.

Question 4

norms example

Answer 4

● Take, for instance, traffic laws; the choice of driving on the left or right appears arbitrary, yet it becomes a universally accepted standard.
■ The seemingly arbitrary nature of norms prompts reflection on why certain behaviors are considered socially acceptable.

Question 5

Cultural Evolution

Answer 5

The gradual development and modification of culture over time as a result of collective agreement

Question 6

cultural evolution facts

Answer 6

● Social norms, including those surrounding gender roles, sexual practices, and personal space, evolve over time through a continuous process of negotiation within communities.
■ Changes in societal perspectives on love and marriage reflect the dynamic nature of cultural evolution.

Question 7

Subjectivity of Normalcy

Answer 7

The concept of “normal” is subjectively shaped by an individual’s cultural upbringing and environment.

Question 8

cope

Psychological Tension

Answer 8

The mental discomfort stems from conflicting thoughts or beliefs when deviating from learned norms

Question 9

Conformity

Answer 9

The adjustment of one’s behavior or thinking to align with the established standards of a group.

Question 10

conformity facts

Answer 10

○ Adherence to rules becomes meaningful in a social context as individuals naturally seek acceptance within groups.
○ Even when individuals are aware of a conflict between personal beliefs and group norms, the desire for social acceptance often prevails.

Question 11

types of Social Influence

Answer 11

Informational social influence
Normative social influence

Question 12

ill do anything for u pls dont leave me

Normative social influence

Answer 12

driven by the desire for social acceptance and the avoidance of rejection.
■ These influences are crucial for navigating the intricate dynamics of group behavior.

Question 13

ur all sheep

Informational social influence

Answer 13

following others due to perceived knowledge.

Question 14

bar experiment

Solomon Asch’s Conformity Study: core settings

Answer 14

○ A visual perception task often conformed to incorrect answers provided by confederates.
○ Normative Social Influence
○ The study shows the prevalence of conformity, even when individuals are cognizant of the correct answer.

Question 15

Social Conformity and Influencing Factors

Answer 15

1. Individual Responses to Conformity
2. Comfort Levels in Conforming
3. Influence of Group Size
4. Presence of a Dissenter
5. Cost of Conformity
6. Ambiguity and Conformity

Question 16

Individual Responses to Conformity

Answer 16

The inherent inclination of an individual to align with or resist group behavior.
■ Individuals may embrace or reject conformity based on their personal disposition.
○ A commitment to avoiding passivity, showing potential awkwardness in non-conformity.

Question 17

Comfort Levels in Conforming

Answer 17

The varied degrees of comfort individuals experience when conforming to or deviating from group norms.
■ Comfort levels differ, influencing whether one chooses to be an outlier or adhere to the group.
○ People’s diverse comfort levels show the spectrum in embracing or rejecting group behavior.

Question 18

Influence of Group Size

Answer 18

The impact of a group’s size on an individual’s likelihood to conform.
○ Group size plays a pivotal role in the pressure individuals feel to align with the majority.
■ Example
● Larger groups intensify conformity pressure.
● Smaller groups heighten conformity likelihood due to increased individual scrutiny.

Question 19

the rebel

Presence of a Dissenter

Answer 19

The effect of an individual within a group who dissents from the majority.
■ Dissenters hold a significant influence, reducing overall group conformity.
○ A lone dissenter encourages others to resist conformity.
■ Dissenters serve as role models, empowering non-conforming behavior.

Question 20

if everyone jumped off a bridge would you???

Cost of Conformity

Answer 20

The perceived expense, whether financial or psychological, is associated with conforming to group behavior.
■ Individuals weigh the costs before deciding to conform or deviate.
○ Conforming is less likely when costs, be it financial or psychological, are high.
■ Ambiguity and uncertainty may drive individuals to conform to avoid potential costs.

Question 21

not thinker look at other ppl to be

Ambiguity and Conformity

Answer 21

The tendency to conform in situations where uncertainty or lack of clarity prevails.
■ Ambiguous scenarios prompt individuals to seek cues from others for guidance.
○ In unfamiliar situations, people observe others to understand appropriate behavior.
■ Ambiguity leads individuals to look around and align with the majority

Question 22

Experiment and Examples

Answer 22

A Hidden Camera Experiment Illustrating Social Conformity
■ Class conforming to arbitrary group behavior without understanding the rationale.
■ Social influence persists even in the absence of immediate peer pressure.
○ The addition of an outsider unfamiliar with group rules results in the individual adopting group behavior.

Question 23

Power in Numbers

Answer 23

The intrinsic inclination of the brain to seek conformity for efficiency and comfort.
■ The brain finds comfort and efficiency in aligning with the group’s decisions.
○ Individuals naturally gravitate towards group decisions for daily activities, finding power in collective choices

Question 24

Inherent Social Nature

Answer 24

The fundamental characteristic of humans as social beings who derive satisfaction from group inclusion.
■ Humans naturally crave social connections and prefer being part of a larger entity.
○ The intrinsic desire for social belonging, showing the importance of group participation

Question 25

cults and revolutions

Minority Influence

Answer 25

Refers to a phenomenon where a small group deviates from the majority, aiming to impact the majority’s beliefs or actions.

Question 26

completing an art project

Conditions for Influence

Answer 26

● High commitment to their viewpoint.
● Independence in the face of majority pressure.
● Consistency over time.
● Appearance of an open mind.

Question 27

working on art project and giving up midway

Factors Leading to Dismissal

Answer 27

■ Lack of commitment.
■ Yielding under pressure.
■ Inconsistency.
■ Perceived close-mindedness.

Question 28

Obedience to Authority

Answer 28

The Milgram Experiment

Question 29

purpose of Milgram study

Answer 29

explores the extent to which individuals obey authority figures, even when it involves harming others.

Question 30

Experimental Setup

Answer 30

○ Participants believed they were part of a memory improvement study.
○ The task involved delivering shocks to a learner for incorrect answers.
○ The learner’s responses were scripted or prerecorded

Question 31

Results of Milgram

Answer 31

two-thirds of participants went to the maximum voltage (450 volts) despite the learner’s apparent distress

Question 32

Milgram experiment revealed that…

Answer 32

ordinary individuals, under the influence of authority, could commit acts against their conscience, comparable to actions during World War II atrocities.
○ The responsibility for actions shifted to the authority figure, showing the role of obedience in extreme situations.

Question 33

basically sociology

Social Psychology

Answer 33

● Obedience, Compliance, and Group Dynamics
● Situational Factors
● Personal Characteristics
● Compliance Techniques
● Individuation and Group Behavior
● Social Loafing

Question 34

Obedience, Compliance, and Group Dynamics

Answer 34

Obedience Experiment
■ The experiment involves a learner and an authority figure administering shocks.
● Proximity and legitimacy of the authority figure significantly impact obedience.
■ The learner’s location and the authority figure’s closeness influence the outcomes.

Question 35

gojo satoru copieum

Situational Factors

Answer 35

Factors related to circumstances, such as the location of the learner and authority figure.
○ The closeness and legitimacy of the authority figure have a profound influence on obedience.

■ Example
● If the experimenter is physically present, participants are more likely to follow instructions.

Question 36

im to fuckin good

Personal Characteristics

Answer 36

Individual traits like political orientation, are not as influential as situational factors.
■ Political orientation, religious affiliation, and occupation had no significant impact on obedience.
○ Regardless of personal characteristics, the situational context played a more critical role.

Question 37

mild form of manipulation

Compliance Techniques

Answer 37

Strategies to induce compliance include reciprocity, foot-in-the-door, and low-balling.
○ Compliance techniques exploit social norms, with examples like offering a small request before a larger one (foot-in-the-door).
■ Example
● Providing a free sample creates a sense of reciprocity, making individuals more likely to comply.

Question 38

midsoummar

Individuation and Group Behavior

Answer 38

Loss of individual identity in a group leads to disinhibited behavior.
■ In group settings, individuals may lose themselves in the crowd, contributing to reduced individual effort.
○ Online anonymity and reduced effort in group projects illustrate how individuation influences behavior.

Question 39

Social Loafing

Answer 39

Reduced motivation in a group setting.
■ Individuals may exert less effort in a group project when their performance is not individually monitored.
○ Without individual grading, some contributors may exhibit social loafing.