social impact theory (obedience)

Question 1

introduction

Answer 1

• can be applied to obedience as it explains how others, real or imagined impact our behaviour
• we are greatly influenced by actions of others. we can be persuaded, threatened and supported by others.

Question 2

explain the 2 types of people

Answer 2

• sources: people who provide the influence (they are the ones making you follow orders)
• targets: those who are influenced (the ones following orders)

Question 3

what are the 3 features that predict how likely someone is to obey orders?

Answer 3

• strength
  -immediacy
  -number

Question 4

explain strength/importance:

Answer 4

how important the influencer/authority figure is to you in terms of age, status + authority.

Question 5

explain immediacy

Answer 5

how important the influencer/authority figure is to you at the time (proximity, distance, buffers)

Question 6

explain number

Answer 6

how many sources and targets there are in the group at the time. the more sources to targets, higher obedience levels.

Question 7

describe the multiplicative effect

Answer 7

as strength of the source increases, so does immediacy and number. - Latane uses the lightbulb analogy: higher wattage light bulbs create a brighter light (strength). if they are placed near a wall the light projected onto the wall will be stronger (immediacy). and if you add more bulbs the light will be brighter (number)

Question 8

describe the divisional effect

Answer 8

when the impact of a source is shared between multiple targets, it decreases the impact of the other 2 factors on obedience levels. -therefore one source will have a greater impact with one target, but when there are 5 targets the impact is diffused among the group.