P1: Social Influence

Question 1

3 Types of Conformity + briefly explain

Answer 1

Compliance - Public change of opinion, when pressure is removed opinions revert
Identification - When we identify with a group we want to be a part off(even if we don’t agree with views)
Internalisation - Change in private and public beliefs (Sharing their value)

Question 2

What is Normative Social Influence

Answer 2

(Emotional Process)

Occurs in unfamiliar Situations with people we don’t know. Stems from desire to not look foolish(Social approval)

Question 3

What is Informative Social Influence

Answer 3

(Cognitive Process)

Occurs in ambiguous situations or when we trust an expert. Stems from desire to be right

Question 4

Evaluate Normative Social Influence

Answer 4

+ Research Support
Asch Study, When asked why ppl conformed ∵ they don’t want to look foolish
- Individual differences
nAFFILATORS, affects those who care more about social affection

Question 5

Evaluate Informative Social Influence

Answer 5

+ Research Support
Maths class example of ambiguity
- Individual Differences
If your smart in a specific field you will be more confident

Question 6

Outline the basics of Asch’s Study

Answer 6

123 American Male Students
Average 36.8% gave wrong answer most of times
25% never gave wrong answer
Asch effect is conformity in ambiguous situations

Question 7

Describe the Variations conducted in Asch’s Study

Answer 7

1) Group size
= 3 was ideal number 32% AVG conformity
2) Unanimity
= Presence of dissenting confederate reduced conformity regardless of confederate giving right or wrong answers, Enables you to be more independent
3) Task Difficulty
= ISI. we look to others for guidance and assume their right

Question 8

Evaluate Asch’s Study

Answer 8

• Temporal validity
  =Replicated results showed differently. 1950s were a conformist time ∴ shows Asch effect is not a consistent human feature
• Artificial Task
  =Demand Characteristics, no reason to not conform + groups weren’t like typical day groups ∴ no generalising able
• Application/Generalising
  =Individualistic v collectivists, China is suggest to be more conforming ∴ Asch study only limited to US men.
• Ethics
  =Deception was involved

Question 9

What is the Aim of Zimbardo (SPE) Study

Answer 9

To test and see if the brutality of prison guards is a result of sadistic personality or formed from the situation

Question 10

Briefly describe the methodology of the ZImbardo study

Answer 10

24 emotionally stable students randomly assigned roll of guard or prisoner. Key concept/theme - de-individualisation.

• only called by serial number
• Uniform and gear worn plus complete control given to guards

Question 11

State the findings of the Zimbardo Study

Answer 11

Prisoners were harassed by guards threatening health.

• Prisoners rebelled which was shut down = anxious + depressed
• 3 prisoners were released early
• 1 force-fed due to hunger strike and put in solitary
• Total day 6/8 Days

Question 12

Evaluate Zimbardo Study

Answer 12

+ Controlled Variables = Good Internal Validity
Emotionally stable + randomly assigned roles
- Realism = Play acting? Riots occurred ∵ thats what prisoners do on TV. 1 person based his guard on a film character ‘cool hand Luke’
- Dispositional Influences = Only 1/3 Guards were Brutal ∴ Zimbardo exaggerated n shows guards can exercise right n wrong
- Major ETHICS = Zimbardo was Both lead researcher n prisoner superintendent. Roles conflicts

Question 13

Describe the Methodology with Milgram’s Obedience study briefly

Answer 13

40 males volunteered. Shocks started at 15V - 450V
4 Main Prods given
1- Please continue
2- Experiment requires you to continue
3- Essential you continue
4- You have no choice, Continue

Question 14

Describe the findings in Milgram’s study

Answer 14

No participant stopped below 300V
12.5% (5ppl) stopped at 300V
65% continued to 450V
-Observations showed signs of anxiety, sweat, tremble ,groan… 3 ppl had full blown uncontrollable seizures.
-Prediction was no more than 3% would continue to 450V

Question 15

Evaluate Milgram’s Study

Answer 15

• Lack of Internal Validity : Possible Guessed shocks are fake = Demand Characteristics?. 70% of Participants thought shocks were real
  + Ecological Validity : Experimenter n participant relation like real-life ∴ generalisable
  + Replication = French Documentary replicated. 80% gave 450V shock
• Ethics = Deception. May harm researchers Rep

Question 16

Name the 3 variations preformed In Milgram Study

Answer 16

• Proximity
• Location
• Uniform

Question 17

Name the effect found from Proximity in the Milgram Study

Answer 17

Teacher n Learner = same room
-65% -> 40%
touch proxi ,teacher must place learners hand on shocker… - 30% obedience
-Remote-instruction. Instructions over a phone
-20.5% n many faked shocks or lowered shocks

Question 18

Name the effect found from Location in the Milgram Study

Answer 18

Preformed in a worn-down building rather than good uni - 47.5% obedience

Question 19

Name the effect found from Uniform in the Milgram Study

Answer 19

Experimenter, leaves room due to ‘emergency’ n is replaced by dude in ordinary clothes
- 20% obedience (Lowest)

Question 20

Evaluate the situational variables found that affect obediences by Milligram’s study

Answer 20

+ Research support: When asking ppl for coin on street while wearing different clothes. 2x more likely to obey ‘security guard’ vs ‘jacket/tie’ man
- Lack Internal Validity: Even more likely too guess its fake ∵ extra manipulation added. Milgram acknowledged uniform experiment was a stretch
+ Replication : Done in Spain, found = 90% obedience (students) ∴ generalisable. Note: Most replications are in Western World
+ Control: Systematically varied 1 variable at a time ∴ shows cause and effect relation

Question 21

Define Agentic State

Define Autonomous State

Answer 21

Agentic : When we act on behalf of another person ∴ feeling no personal responsibility for our actions

Autonomous State : When we act accordingly to our own principles n feel responsible for our own actions

Question 22

Define Agentic Shift

Answer 22

Shift from autonomy to being an ‘agent’ occurs when we perceive someone else as an authority figure (Social Hierarchy)

Question 23

Define: Binding Factors
n
List Coping methods
(In terms of Obedience)

Answer 23

Binding: Factors which minimise damaging effect/ moral strain allowing you to preform orders

Coping: Shifting blame to victim or Denial of damage inflicted

Question 24

What effect does Legitimacy of authority have on society and how did originate

Answer 24

Structured Social hierarchy with legit authority agreed by society. Accepted they should exercise power to keep society functioning.
Ingrained during childhood.
… Can lead to destructive authority if not careful e.g. Hitler

Question 25

Evaluate Social - psychological factors in obedience

Answer 25

+ Research Support (Agentic): When Milgram study reviewed n asked who is to blame. Students say experimenter ∵ of Legitimacy off authority
- Limited Explanation (Agentic): Not everyone obeys but we should?.e.g. Nurses show same anxiety but obey as they understood their role.
+ Cross - Culture Research : 16% Australians went to 450V 85% Germans went to 450V ∴ different societies, different structure = boost validity

Question 26

Define Authorian personality

Answer 26

Extreme Respect for authority n contempt for ‘inferiors’
Formed in childhood via harsh parenting n conditional love ∴ create resentment n hostility.
Feelings are displaced onto wearing beings (Scapegoating) due to fear of reprisal from superiors

Question 27

Describe both the procedure and findings of the Authorian personality study Preformed by Adorno

Answer 27

-To test unconscious attitudes towards other racial groups. 2000 Middle - class Americans tested. Used
F- Scale (Fascim Scale)
E.g. 'Obedience n respect...most important virtues a child should learn'

-Found: Authorians: High on F - Scale n low on other measures. Identified/Respected with Strong. Contempt with weak. Conscious of Status. Distinct Cognitive Style, no fuzziness between categories of ppl. Fixed distinct stereotypes of other ppl

Question 28

Evaluate Adrono’s Study on the Authorian Personality

Answer 28

+ Research Support: Interviews with fully obedience students(Scored High F-Scale), suggested link/correlation. Note: Correlation is not Causation. Maybe its education’s fault(3rd factor)

• Limited Explanation: Nazi’s. Millions of Germans displayed obediences n anti-semantic behaviour but don’t have same personality. Maybe its Social Identification Theory. Identified with Anti-semantics n adopted Nazi’s views
• Politically Biased: Aims to measure Right-Wing (extremists) but Right-wing n Left-wing require complete obedience ∴ incomplete explanation as it don’t explain Left-Wing
• Researcher Bias/Methodology Issues: Interviews conducted by researchers who knew they had the personality. Demand Characteristics? ∴ data collected = low validity

Question 29

Describe how Social Support can aid you in terms of resistance to social influence

Answer 29

• Conformity is reduced by a dissenting peer(Role Model) If the Model returns to conforming so will the follower ∴ not permeant (Asch Study)
• Obedience is reduced by a dissenting peer. Frees you to act from your own conscious

Question 30

Explain what Locus of Control(LOC) Is and how it applies to resistance in terms of social influence

Answer 30

Internal LOC: Place control within themselves
External LOC: Place control outside themselves

Internals have greater resistance to social influence ∵ Decisions based on own belief.e.g. High Internals = Confident n achievement oriented

Question 31

Evaluate The effects of resistance to social influence

Answer 31

+ Research support (conformity):1 dissenter = independence regardless of reason
+Research support(Obedience): Milgram Study replicated in groups. 29/33 or 88% rebelled
+ Research support(LOC): Milgram replicated = 37% Internals didn’t go to 450V. 23% externals didn’t go to 450V ∴ validity (up)
- Temporal Validity: US Data = more independent yet more external ∴ challenge LOC link.
-LOC Exaggerated: Only works in new situations, ignores experience.

Question 32

How does Minority influence occur; describe and explain the processes involved

Answer 32

Occurs via internalisation
-Consistency: Helps gain interest. Challenges established beliefs. 2 types
Synchronised Consistency: all ppl say the same thing(Between ppl)
Diachronic Consistency: They been saying this for time(Between time)
-Commitment: Helps gain attention. uses
Augmentation principle: Majority pays even more when some risk is created ∴ demonstrate cause
-Flexibility: Balance between consistency n flexibility. to not be seen as rigid. Consistent arguments = off-putting n rigid. Must be reasonable, adaptable n accept counter-argument

Question 33

What is the Snowball Effect?

2 Marks

Answer 33

When Minority becomes majority.

Rate of conversion will increase the more it happens.

Question 34

Describe the Blue-Green Slides study/experiment preformed to minority influence by Moscovici

Answer 34

Ppl view multiple slides n must state colour.
3 groups:
1- confederates always say green
2- confederates inconsistent with colour state
3- control. (no confederates). Findings:
1 : 32% gave same answer on at least one trial
2 : Agreement fell to 1.25%
3 : wrong only 0.25% of the time

Question 35

Evaluate the effect of minority influence

Answer 35

+ Research evidence(Consistency): Meta-analysis of roughly 100 similar studies = minorities seen as consistent = most influential ∴ key factor
- Artificial research: Blue-Green Slides(Moscovici) no link to how minorities try to change IRL opinions.e.g. Juries = life or death or majority has power ∴ lack ecological validity n cannot generalise
+ Research Support(Internalisation): Blue-Green Slides(Moscovici) when told to write down answers=private. Agreement with minority was higher ∴ internalisation occurred but reluctant to admit publicly ∴ affect but not apprent

Question 36

Describe the Steps in which Social Change occurs

Answer 36

1- Attention drawn, e.g. civil right marches
2- Consistency e.g. minority march consistently
3- Deeper Processing e.g.
4- Augmentation Principle. Change slowly occurs.e.g. Freedom fighters
5- Snowball Effect. Minority changes to majority.e.g.Martin Luther King, political attention
6- Social Cryptomnesia. Memory of change occurring but not how/Leading up to event.

Question 37

Evaluate Social Influence and social Change

Answer 37

+Research support(NSI): when asking members to reduce energy= not effective(control group). Only when told about others reducing energy= effective

• Indirectly effective: Change occurs over prolong time ‘delayed effects’ = too fragile explanation. Indirectly = central issues addressed but not main issues
• Methodology: Social change experiments rely on artificial task ∴ cannot generalise