Social Imapct Theory

Question 1

What is social impact theory

Answer 1

Social impact theory looks at the relationship between the source and the target that could lead to obedience

Question 2

What three variables lead to obedience (SIT)

Answer 2

Strength- how important the influencing group of people are to you (status, authority, age)
Immediacy-how close the group are to you at the time of the influence attempt (proximity, distance, buffers)
Number- how many people there are in the group

Question 3

Describe the multiplicative effect (number) (SIT)

Answer 3

The divisional effect and disobedience if:
The sources does not have strength or authority
If the source does not have proximity to the target
If the number of targets outweigh the source

Question 4

Evidence for social impact theory

Answer 4

There is evidence to support the notion that obedience or disobedience can occur as a result of either a multiplication effect of social forces or a division of impact effect
E.g burger who found that ( more likely to be disobedient if)
The theory could lack ecological validity because….
That’s said hofling directed over the phone so targets did not have immediacy to the source, yet obedience was still high 21/22 nurses. That said strength still strong cause of source

Question 5

What’s applications does SIT have

Answer 5

Support destructive obedience in an everyday setting e.g Abu Ghraib e.g because the source has strength and immediacy

Question 6

Strengths and shortcomings SIT
Ignores individual differences
Hypothetical
Ignores nature and nature

Answer 6

Ignores individual differences in obedience e.g people with internal locus of control may be less likely to obey and be less effected by the strength and status of the source
Elements of the theory are difficult to measure e.g strength and immediacy therefore this can be considered hypothetical
The theory does not take into account the role of nature and nurture and so may not be as valid as agency theory e.g the development of hierarchies and obedience to authority figures indicates that there are evolutionary mechanisms behind obedience (nature) and this is further supported by socialisation e.g education. Whereas the SIT looks at socialisation as the origins for obedience