Social Impact Theory Evaluation

Question 1

Milgram’s research showed that when the participant had peers support, there was less obedience. Social Impact Theory is affected by the number of people being influenced (targets), as much as the number of influencers (sources)

Answer 1

Supports the theory, showing research evidence to back up the theory

Question 2

The theory has useful predictive power in terms of how individuals in a group will obey each other

Answer 2

Supports the theory, as it shows it has practical application in explaining what influences us to behave in a certain way

Question 3

Features of the individual aren’t taken into account, e.g. why some are more easily persuaded by others

Answer 3

Refutes the theory, as the theory suggests that everyone conforms to social force in the same way (undermining individual differences like personality and socialisation that might make an individual more likely to resist)

Question 4

The theory is general, looking at social influence rather than obedience in particular, or issues around group behaviour such as social loafing, when people in a group do not contribute

Answer 4

Refutes the theory as it suggests a lack of ability in the study to be applied to real life. The theory ignores other important social factors for group obedience