Social Impact Theory

Question 1

Social impact theory definition

Answer 1

An explanation by Latané (1981) that a persons real or imagined presence can have an impact on the way somebody thinks,feels or acts.
Determined by S,I,N

Question 2

Definition of source

Answer 2

The person influencing

Question 3

Definition of target

Answer 3

The person being influenced

Question 4

Number

Answer 4

The amount of sources that are present

Question 5

Law of diminishing returns

Answer 5

Introduced by Latané, states that if a group is larger than 3, each additional person has less of an influence

Question 6

Multicaptive divisional effects

Answer 6

IMPACT = SOURCE X IMMEDIACY X NUMBER

Question 7

Definition of immediacy

Answer 7

The closeness of an authority figure

Physical or psychological barriers can affect immediacy

Question 8

Strength

Answer 8

The amount of perceived power the person has

Question 9

Evidence

Answer 9

Jeffery jackson (90z)
Supports theory with a field zoo experiment in new york where they asked zoo goers to not lean on ghe railings
Manipulated Strength, dressed the zookeeper (confederate) in uniform (58 percent obedience ) then a t shirt (38 percent).

Manipulated immediacy , those in the same room -61 percent obedience.
Those in an adjacent room 7 percent obedience

Observed groups, smaller groups with less targets- 60 percent
Larger groups , more targets - 14 percent

Question 10

Counterarguement for evidence

Answer 10

Due to it being a field experiment, the amount of people couldnt be manipulates , those in larger groups could simply just have more obedient personalities

Question 11

Weakness of theory

Answer 11

Immediacy isnt as important as strength

Hofling (1966) had a doctor ( confederate) call 22 nurses to give an overdose towards a patient
95% did it even while the doctor wasnt present at all, weakness as theory suggests the nurses would disobey but they didnt