Obedience: Social Impact Theory (Situational) Flashcards

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1
Q

Define ‘sources’.

A

A person providing the influence.

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2
Q

Define ‘targets’.

A

Those who are being influenced.

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3
Q

What three factors impact the influence of a source?

A

1) Number
2) Power
3) Proximity

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4
Q

Give an example of how number can affect the influence of an individual.

A

The more students there are in a social situation the less the social impact of the teacher.

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5
Q

Give an example of how power can affect the influence of an individual.

A

A boss is seen as an authority figure due to their level of expertise, this means they have a higher influence over their employees and so a greater social impact.

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6
Q

Give an example of how proximity can affect the influence of an individual.

A

If a teacher emails a student about their homework they’re less likely to complete it as opposed to being told in person.

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7
Q

Using the acronym ‘EACH’, evaluate 2 ‘evidence’ points.

A

P - Hofling’s study supports
E - 95% of nurses obeyed instructions of the ‘doctor’
E - And so recognises the power aspect of the theory, as well as number due to the direct request of 1 on 1 contact
P - Milgram’s variations supports
E - Rebellious stooges, telephonic instructions, and run down office block
E - The large number of people rebelling reduced the social impact, the experimenter wasn’t within close proximity, and the environment was familiar and so not intimidating which reduced power

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8
Q

Using the acronym ‘EACH’, evaluate a ‘how’ point.

A

P - Milgram’s study has low validity
E - Due to the lab conditions it was carried out in whereby the teacher and learner were in a room with an experimenter administering electric shocks to the learner on the other side of a wall
E - Therefore lacks mundane realism of things that people obey and so is less credible

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9
Q

Does social impact theory have applications?

A

P - Yes
E - It can help explain the events of WW2 whereby there were a vast number of people obeying Hitler, he had guards patrolling to increase proximity, and used propaganda to exercise power
E - Therefore can be applied to other situations in life

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10
Q

Using the acronym ‘EACH’, evaluate 2 ‘credibility’ points.

A

P - The theory is reductionist
E - It assumes that social behaviour can be understood purely in terms of the interaction of individuals
E - And so ignores other factors people use to be obedient such as dispositional factors
P - It doesn’t specifically look at obedience
E - It studies the influence of groups on behaviour
E - Only the features of obedience that involve groups are addressed

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