Social impact theory

Question 1

What is the collective name for the three factors which influence obedience in impact theory?

Answer 1

Social Forces

Question 2

What are the three social forces?

Answer 2

Strength Immediacy and Number

Question 3

What is meant by strength in impact theory?

Answer 3

The more perceived power an authority figure has, the more obedient the target will be.

Question 4

What is meant by immediacy in impact theory?

Answer 4

The closer the authority figure is, the more obedient the target will be., The more recent the order was given, the more obedient the target will be.

Question 5

What is meant by number in impact theory?

Answer 5

The more authority figures there are giving orders, the more obedient the target will be.

Question 6

Define psychosocial law

Answer 6

With each added person the Impact increases (but at a decreasing rate).

Question 7

What is the divisional effect?

Answer 7

The strength of the authority figure is divided by the amount of targets.

Question 8

What studies support Impact theory?

Answer 8

Milgram V7 (immediacy), Milgram V10 & V13 (Strength) , Milgram & Bickman (number)

Question 9

How does Milgram’s variation 7 support SIT?

Answer 9

Less people obeyed when the instructions were given over the phone. Showing immediacy is a credible factor to explain obedience.

Question 10

How does Milgram’s variation 10 support SIT?

Answer 10

Less people obeyed when the location of the experiment was less prestigious. Showing Strength is a credible factor to explain obedience.

Question 11

How does Milgram’s variation 13 support SIT

Answer 11

Less people obeyed the man as he was dressed in ordinary clothes. Showing Strength is a credible factor to explain obedience.

Question 12

Why is Impact theory a better explanation of obedience than Agency theory?

Answer 12

Impact has more factors to influence obedience than Agency theory does meaning it is a more complete explanation of obedience

Question 13

Which of these is a correct weakness of Impact theory?

Answer 13

It doesn’t include personality factors which might influence obedience like authoritarian personality or locus of control. This means it isn’t a complete explanation of obedience because it doesn’t include individual differences

Question 14

Why is the ‘formula’ for impact theory an issue?

Answer 14

It is reductionist AND determinist because it says that obedience behaviour can be explained by a formula which is simplistic and ignores choice

Question 15

How is Agency theory better than Impact theory?

Answer 15

It includes Moral Strain, how the person feels about being obedient but the other doesn’t, this makes it a more complete explanation of obedience

Question 16

What real world event can Impact theory explain?

Answer 16

The holocaust- it shows how the Strength, Immediacy and Number could be influential and can happen in real life making it a credible explanation

Question 17

What other factor about a person could influence obedience which impact theory doesn’t account for?

Answer 17

Personality e.g. Authoritarian personality and Locus of control can make you more obedient, which Impact theory doesn’t account for