Social Impact Theory

Question 1

Social Impact

Answer 1

Effect others have on our behaviour

Question 2

Sources and Targets

Answer 2

Latene 1981Source = person doing influencingTargets = people who are influencedImpact on target = f(SIN)

Question 3

SIN stands for

Answer 3

StrengthImmediacyNumber

Question 4

What is strength

Answer 4

Perceived power/authority of source and messages they conveyAffected by socioeconomic status, age and nature of any past or future relationship with target

Question 5

What is immediacy

Answer 5

Proximity of source and targetPhysical or psychological barrier

Question 6

What is number

Answer 6

How many sources present

Question 7

Multiplicative and divisional effects (lightbulb analogy)

Answer 7

Strength of bulb = 100 watts compared to 70Immediacy = how far away light sourceNumber = number of light bulbsDivisional effect = if social impact theory is reduced, more targets than sourcesImpact on target = f(1/(SIN))

Question 8

The law of diminishing returns

Answer 8

Latane If increase group bigger than 3, each additional person has less of an influencing effectE.g. adding 53rd person is less social impact than adding 2nd

Question 9

Strength

Answer 9

Sedikides and Jackson 1990Zoo visitors responses to being told not to lean on railStrength = how dressed => 58% as zoo keeper, 35% in T shirtImmediacy => 61% in same room, 7% in different roomNumber => 60% in groups of 1 or 2, 14% in groups of 5 or 6

Question 10

Counter argument of strength

Answer 10

Field experiment so researchers unable to manipulate number of people in each groupPeople who choose to go around in big groups have less obedient personalitiesMay not be group size caused level of defiance

Question 11

Weakness

Answer 11

Hofling 1966Unknown doctor to telephone 22 nurses and ask to administer overdose of drug not on ward list95% nurses administered drugDoctor not present but nurses obeyedAbsent source should reduce effect