social impact Flashcards
What is social impact theory?
An alternative explanation for why people are obedient. The presence of others cause changes in a person. These changes can be emotional , behavioural and cognitive. The person being impacted in the target and the person doing the influencing is referred to as the source
3 laws of behaviour
social force, psychological law, division of impact
How does strength increase the likelihood a person will respond to social influence?
The strength of a source can be determined by status, authority or age. Perrin and Spencer found that probation officers had high levels of influence of those under probation. This can be explained due to their high levels of authority.
How does immediacy increase the likelihood a person will respond to social influence?
The distance (space and time) between source and target at the time of the influence attempt.
How does number increase the likelihood a person will respond to social influence?
How many sources and targets there are in a group
When will obedience be the greatest?
Authority figure who is perceived as legitimate, who is close to the target and great in number.
What is the multiplication impact?
Increasing n.o people from 2-3 has a large effect, but increasing sources from 66-67 would have little to no effect. So strength, immediacy, and number have a multiplicative impact where social influence becomes stronger.
What is the division of impact?
Where social influence becomes weaker. eg when an authority figure would have a diminished ability to influence someone if they had a group of allies,ally. Evidence from Milgram’s variation where 2 peers rebel against instructions of the authority figure telling them to deliver electric shocks. The presence of the peer lowered obedience to 10%. This is a diffusion of responsibility.
What is the mathematic model for SIT?
i =f(SIN), allows us to predict how people are likely to behave and makes the theory reliable if the same measurements are used the same predictions will emerge consistently
Applications of SIT
Mathematical formula is useful as it can predict how people behave in certain conditions- Which increases reliability if the same measurements are put into the formula, the same predictions emerge
Negative applications of SIT
Can be criticised for being static rather than dynamic because it doesn’t take into account how source and target interact and ignores what the target brings to the situation. Is limited in type of social situation it may explain. Cannot predict what might happen if two equal groups impact on one another
Methodology of SIT
Both lab and field experiments were used to develop SIT eg Milgram, and Latane which increases scientific credibility. However, analysing people’s obedience using a mathematical formula can be considered reductionist as it attempts to explain complex social behaviour.
Evidence for SIT
Latane- n.o of people that would respond to Billy Graham’s appeal for converts. Small audiences( less allies)= more likely to agree that vicars meet them +milgrams variation 7 shows proximity + Jackson and Sedikides found people tended to obey a uniformed zoo keeper when he told not to lean on railings compared to a causally dressed zookeeper which demonstrates strength of status in influencing target. this was carried out in a birdhouse in the zoo.
Evidence against SIT
ignores individual differences. eg does not explain why some pf us are more resilient to social impact and some are more affected by it. The theory does not explain why people are influenced by others, just under what conditions they are more likely to be influenced
Alternative theory to SIT
Agency theory
Difference between Milgrams agency theory and Latanes social impact theory
Agency theory- doesn’t use quantifiable data, less reliable as it doesn’t predict exactly how people behave in any situation, explains obedience behaviour and discusses it directly
SIT- Quantifiable data- uses a mathematical formula, reliable if the same measurements are put into the formula same predications emerge.
Similarities of agency theory and SIT
Agency- supported by research eg Hofling, ignores individual difference why some people don’t obey orders, doesn’t explain WHY people obey authority
SIT- Supported by Sedikides and Jackson, ignores individual differences doesn’t explain why some people are more resistant to social impact, doesn’t explain WHY people are influenced by others just under what conditions they’re likely to be influenced
Individual differences affecting obedience
Personality Gender
- locus of control
-authoritarianism
-empathy
