Me 4.3a Psychology of Social Situations: Conformity and Obedience Flashcards
Social norms
the expectations and roles a society
has for its members in individual and social situations
social contagion
an ubiquitous process by which information, such as attitudes, emotions, or behaviours, are rapidly spread throughout a group from one member to others without rational thought and reason.
chameleon effect
unconscious mimicry of the postures, mannerisms, facial expressions, and other behaviours of one’s interaction partners, such that one’s behaviour passively and unintentionally changes to match that of others in one’s current social environment.
empathy
To feel what others are feeling
mood linkage
the sharing of moods
positive herding
when great reviews of a movie or product generate more positive reviews
Social influence theory
the social pressure to behave or think in certain ways can be normative or informational
conformity
adjusting our behaviour or thinking to coincide with a group standard.
normative social influence
influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval.
informational social influence
influence resulting from a person’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality.
obedience
complying with an order or command
Group Size
Larger groups increase conformity
Unanimity
Conformity is more likely when everyone else agrees
Cohesion
Conformity increases with group solidarity
Status
Higher status individuals have more influence
Public Response
Conformity is higher when responses are public
Authority Presence
Physical presence of an authority figure increases obedience
Legitimacy
Perceived legitimacy of the authority figure
Proximity
Closer proximity to the authority figure
Depersonalisation
Reducing the victim’s personal connection
Lack of Dissent
Absence of dissenting peers
Social control
the power of the situation
personal control
the power of the individual
minority influence
The power of one or two individuals to sway majorities
