Social Flashcards
What does the term ‘social influence’ mean?
Any changes in the way an individual acts, thinks, or behaves as a result of interaction with another person or group of people
Explain the term ‘social values’.
A set of rules or guidelines telling us how to behave.
True or false? Our relationships with other people are a major influence on an individual’s behaviour, thought processes and emotions.
True.
True or false? The situation we are in has an effect on our behaviour, we don’t always act according to our free will.
True.
What is obedience?
Obedience is the tendency to comply with the commands of those in authority
What qualities does an authority figure often have?
They are usually older than the person that they are influencing, often wear a uniform or badge, they often possess power over others, they have a high position in society and are usually knowledgeable.
What major historical event caused many psychologists to look at obedience and human behaviour?
The Holocaust.
Explain the term dissent.
Where you may not agree with something but you are in a position where you must obey.
What is a term used to describe those who choose to not obey or outwardly disagree with the actions ordered?
They are said to be demonstrating independent behaviour.
What date was Milgrams study of obedience?
1963
Give the two aims of Milgrams study of obedience.
1) to investigate the level of obedience when told by an authority figure to give electric shocks. 2) to investigate ‘Germans are different hypothesis’
Briefly explain the ‘Germans are different hypothesis’.
This was the idea that there was something different about the way that German people were made that forced them to obey commands.
Describe the sample used in Milgrams study of obedience.
40 American males aged between 20-50 from various occupational backgrounds.
What type of sampling was used in Milgrams study of obedience?
Self selecting sample.
Which university did the Milgrams study of obedience take place in?
Yale university
How much were the participants paid in Milgrams study of obedience?
$4.50
What type of experiment was Milgrams study of obedience?
A laboratory experiment
Describe the procedure of Milgrams study of obedience.
A confederate and participant were asked to pick which role they would have, either the teacher or the learner. It was rigged so that the participant would always be the teacher. The learner was led to another room where they were strapped in to a chair and electrodes were attached to them. Participants were told that the electrode was attached to a shock generator in the other room. The participant was given a slight shock to demonstrate the equipment worked. The teacher was to read word pairs and then give the first half of the pair along with four options for the matching word. The learner had to select the correct word. For every incorrect response, an electric shock was administered increasing by 15 volts each time. Each time the participant hesitated, one of four verbal prods was given. Once the participant refused to continue, the experiment ended.
What were the four verbal prods used in Milgrams study of obedience?
Please continue, please go on. It is absolutely essential that you continue. The experiment requires that you continue. You have no other choice, you must go on.
Explain why the debrief Milgram gave was good.
The learners were reunited with the the participants to show that no harm had come to them. They were informed that their behaviour was normal and tests and questionnaires were issued to assess any damage caused.