Obedience: Social Impact Theory

Question 1

What is social impact theory? (Latane)

2

Answer 1

• Extent other peoples presence can alter the way an individual thinks, feels or acts.
• SIN

Question 2

Evaluate social impact theory

3

Answer 2

S and J manipulated (S) of source, dress actor as zoo keeper (58%) or in a t-shirt and shorts (35%). >Obedience when visitor further from order not to lean on rail - 7% adjacent room (I). ^Obedience in >group of 1/2 visitors (>targets) compare w big, divisional effect

Immediacy not key in SI. Hofling et al. found 95% of nurses administered overdose of a drug that wasn’t on their ward list (doctor orders). Although, doctor wasn’t immediately present, nurses obeyed without question

^Social influence. Political leaders may ^their influence by using persuasive style of comm (S), reach targets face-to-face (I), addressing >groups not large crowds where divisional effect may >impact of msgs

Question 3

What is the divisional effect?

1

Answer 3

• > SI when ^targets than sources

Question 4

What is the law of diminishing returns?

1

Answer 4

• Source group bigger than 3, each additional person has less influencing effect

Question 5

What is strength and what can affect it(S)?

2

Answer 5

• Refers to perceived authority of source

- Affected by socio-economic status, age, past relation w target

Question 6

What is immediacy (I) and what can affect it?

2

Answer 6

• Closeness of source & target in terms of space, time

- Barriers to comm

Question 7

What is number (N)?

1

Answer 7

• Amount of sources present during the interaction

Question 8

Who is the source and who are the targets?

2

Answer 8

• Source = person doing the influencing

- Target = the people influenced

Question 9

What is the multiplicative effect?

1

Answer 9

• ^SIN = ^social impact