social influence

Question 1

Define conformity (2)

Answer 1

Changes in individuals behaviour and/or beliefs (1)
as a result of real or imagined group pressure (2)

Question 2

Conformity intro

Answer 2

Kelman (1958) suggested that there are 3 ways in which people conform to the opinion of a majority.
These reflect the amount of change that has taken place to a person’s views or actions.

Question 3

What are the 3 types of conformity

Answer 3

Compliance
Identification
Internalisation

Question 4

Define compliance

Answer 4

The most superficial and least permanent change in attitude.
Individuals publicly change their beliefs and behaviours to be in line with a group and to fit in but in probate, revert back to original belief systems and behaviours, when the group pressure stops.
They may not agree with what the group is doing.
Compliance is linked to normative social influence

E.g when a student is at university he smokes because the rest of the group does and he wants to fit, however he doesn’t like smoking and would never do it when he wasn’t with them

Question 5

Define identification

Answer 5

A stronger type of conformity, involving possible probate as well as public acceptance.
Occurs when individuals look to a group for guidance and adjust their behaviour and belief systems to those of a group membership of the group is desirable and they take in a role within a group.
It involves elements of both compliance and internalisation.

Individual accepts the attitudes and behaviours they are adopting as right (Internalisation) but the purpose of them accepting the attitudes and behaviour is to be accepted as a member of the group (compliance)

When the group is no longer seen as valuable, behaviour may revert back.

E.g a student really wants to be part of a group who listen to drum and bass, so when he is with the group and gene he us alone he listens to drum and bass and really likes music.
However, during the second yesterday of university there is a new group he wants to be apart of who listen to hip hop. He no longer values and listens to drum and bass, he listens to hip- hop.

Question 6

Define internalisation

Answer 6

The deepest and most permanent change in attitude.

Individuals publicly and privately change their behaviours and belief systems to go along with a group norm, because we accept their attitudes in to our own cognition ( internalise them), the behaviour lasts when the majority are no longer present.

Internalisation is linked to informational social influence

Question 7

Intro of explanations of conformity

Answer 7

A 2 process theory, developed by Deutsch and Gerald
It identifies 2 reasons for conformity - informational social influence (desire to be right) and normative social influence (desire to be liked)

Question 8

What are the two explanations for conformity

Answer 8

Informational social influence
Normative social influence

Question 9

Define Informational social influence (3)

Answer 9

ISI is driven by the desire to be right (1)
When an individual is unsure (lacks knowledge) about how to behave, they conform by seeking information from the group, about how to behave and assume that it is right, this is a cognitive process (2)
This explanation of conformity leads to internalisation, in which individuals publicly and privately change their views to be in line with a group (3)

Question 10

Define normative social influence (3)

Answer 10

NSI is driven by the desire to be liked (1)
An individual will ’go along with’ a group’s behaviour in order to avoid ridicule and gain acceptance from them and fit in, an emotional process (2)
This explanation of of conformity leads to compliance, in which individuals publicly change their views to be in line with the group, but privately revert back to their original views (3)

Question 11

Who conducted a conformity research

Answer 11

Asch

Question 12

What was the aim of Asch’s research

Answer 12

To investigate the effects of a majority opinion on individual’s judgements

Question 13

What was the method for Asch’s study

Answer 13

Lab experiment

Question 14

What was the sample for Asch’s study

Answer 14

123 American male students

Question 15

What was the procedure for Asch’s study

Answer 15

Ppts were individually placed into grouped with 7 to 9 confederates

Were shown two large white cards at a time
On one was a standard line ‘x’ and on the other card were ‘three’ comparison lines ABC
One of the comparison lines was the same length as the standard line, and the other 2 were substantially different

Ppts were asked to say which line (A, B or C) was the same length as standard line X
Ppts were always second or last to answer

On 12/18 trials (critical trials) the confederates gave identical wrong answers
A control group of 36 ppts were individually tested without confederates

Question 16

What were the findings for Asch’s study

Answer 16

The real ppts gave a wrong answer 37% of the time when a confederate was present

Post-experiment interviews found that the majority of ppts conformed publicly during the experiment, but not privately (thought that the confederate’s were wrong) as they wanted to avoid ridicule

Question 17

What was the conclusion for Ash’s study

Answer 17

This supports NSI as ppts conformed publicly, but not privately (as indicated in the post experiment interviews and the unambiguous nature of the task) in order to be accepted by the group

Question 18

What are the 3 variables affecting conformity

Answer 18

Group size
Unanimity
Task difficulty

Question 19

Describe the variable group Size

Answer 19

Conformity rates increase as the size of a majority group increases however, the size of the group STOPS having an effect on conformity once the group reaches a certain size

When there was 1 real ppt and 1 confederate - conformity was 34%
When there was 2 confederates and 1 real ppt conformity increased to 13%
When there was 3 confederates and 1 real ppt conformity increased to 32%
However, conformity plateaued after this

Suggesting that the size of the majority does have an effect on conformity but only to a point

Question 20

Describe the variable unanimity

Answer 20

Means to be in COMPLETE AGREEMENT from a group of people about an answer or viewpoint

In the original Asch study the confederates all gave the same wrong answer and conformity 37%
However, when Asch carried his study and had 1 confederate give the correct answers throughout the research conformity dropped to 5.5%
Asch then researched a ‘lone confederate’ who gave an answer that was both different from the majority and different to the correct answer - in this variation conformity dropped to 9%

Asch concluded when a dissenter breaks the group’s unanimous position conformity decreases

Question 21

Describe the variable task difficulty

Answer 21

Conformity increases when the difficulty of a task increases

In one variation of Asch’s research he made the stimulus line more similar in length so that the correct answer was less obvious and therefore the task was harder, when the difficulty of the task increased conformity rates increased
This suggests that informational social influence plays a greater role when the task becomes harder.
When situations are unclear, we are more likely to look to others for guidance

As the right answer becomes less obvious we lose confidence in our ability = more likely to conform

Question 22

Define what is meant by conformity to social roles

Answer 22

Social roles are the parts that people play as members of various social groups e.g teachers and students.
These are accompanied by expectations that we, and others, have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role.
We internalise these expectations, so they shape our behaviour

Question 23

The background information on Zimbardo

Answer 23

Prison riots in America and Zimbardo wanted to know why prison guards behaved brutally - was it that they had sarcastic personalities or was it their social role (as prison guard) that caused such behaviour

Question 24

What was the aim of Zimbardo’s study

Answer 24

To investigate how freely people would conform to the roles of guard and prisoners in a role-playing exercise that re-created prison life

Question 25

What was the sample of Zimbardo’s study

Answer 25

A volunteer sample of 24 ‘emotionally stable’ US milked university students

Question 26

What was the procedure of Zimbardo’s study

Answer 26

Volunteers were randomly allocated each student the role of prisoner or guard

Prisoners - arrested at their homes, taken by prisoners, searched, deloused and dressed in smock uniforms, referred to as numbers rather than by name
Guards - given uniforms, , a ‘night stick’ and mirrored glasses. They were instructed to keep the prisoners under control but use no violence.

Uniforms created a loss of personal identity (de-individuation), encouraging ppts to conform to their social roles

The basement of the psychology department at Stanford university was converted into a mock prison

Prisoners were placed in cells and a regular routine or shifts, meal times etc, was established as well as visiting times , a parole and disciplinary board and a prison chaplain.

Zimbardo took on the role of prison superintendent
If a ‘prisoner’ wanted to leave, they had to go through a parole process

Question 27

What were the findings of Zimbardo’s research

Answer 27

Within a day the prisoners rebelled and ripped off their numbers and the guards responded by locking them in their cells and confiscating their blankets

As the experiment continued, the punishments by the guard escalated. Prisoners were humiliated and deprived off sleep by guards conducting head counts

identification was noticeable by the prisoners referring to each other and themselves by their prison numbers instead of their names

The prisoners rapidly became subdued, and depressed, with some showing serious stress related reactions to the experience. Three prisoners were released early due to showing symptoms of psychological disturbance

The role play had been intended to run for 2 weeks, but was called off after just 6 days

Question 28

What was the conclusion for Zimbardo’s study

Answer 28

Guards, prisoners and researchers conformed to their role within the prison
Social roles have an extraordinary power over individuals, making even the most well-adjusted capable of extremely brutality towards others.

Question 29

Define the term obedience to authority

Answer 29

This is a type of social influence where somebody acts in response to a direct order from a figure with perceived authority.
The person who receives the order may also respond in a way that they would have not done without the order

Question 30

What was the aim for Milgram’s research into obedience

Answer 30

To investigate if individuals would obey the orders of authority figure even if this led to negative consequences

Question 31

What was the method of Milgram’s research into obedience

Answer 31

Laboratory experiment at Yale university

Question 32

What was the sample of Milgram’s research into obedience

Answer 32

40 American males aged 20-50

Question 33

What was the procedure of Milgram’s research into obedience

Answer 33

Milgram placed an advert in a newspaper seeking volunteers for an experiment supposedly researching memory on learning and they were paid $4.50

Once the ppt arrived at the univeristy, they wree introduced to another ppt (who was actually a confederate). They drew lots, which were rigged, and the real ppt was assigned the role of the ‘teacher’ and the confederate was the learner

The teachers job was to administrate a learning task and deliver ‘electric shocks’ to the learner in the other room if the learner got a question wrong.

The shocks began at 15 volts and increased in increments of 15 volts to a maximum of 450 volts

The experimenter used prompts if the teacher refused (tested the obedience of authority)

(Only need 2)
‘please continue’
‘the experiment requires that you continue’
‘it is absolutely essential that you continue’
‘you have no other choice. you must go on’

Question 34

What were the findings into Milgram’s research into obedience

Answer 34

All ppts went to at least 300 volts, with only 12.5% stopping at that point
65% of ppts continued to the maximum 450 volts, showing high levels of obedience

Question 35

What was the conclusion into Milgram’s research to obedience

Answer 35

Ordinary people are obedient to authority when asked to behave in an inhumane way

It is not necessarily evil people who commit evil crimes but ordinary people who are just obeying orders

Question 36

What are the 3 situational variables which affect obedience

Answer 36

Proximity
Loaction
Power of uniform

Question 37

Describe proximity and describe a research finding (procedure + finding) in relation to Milgram

Answer 37

Proximity - how near or far (close) the ppt (teacher) is to the victim (learner) or experimenter (authourity figure)

P - in Milgram’s original experiment the teacher could not see the learner, only hear them and obedience was
f- 65%. When both the teacher and learner were in the same room obedience fell by 40%. This was because the teacher could directly see how their behaviour was having an unpleasant consequence on the learner

P- Furthermore, when the teacher was required to
F - force the learners hand onto the electric shock plate (touch proximity obedience dropped even further to 30%

P- In on proximity variation (remote instruction) the experimenter left the room and gave instructions to the teacher by telephone
F - in this variation obedience fell to 20.5%, which suggests that, the closer an authority figure is to an individual, the more obedient that individual will be.

Question 38

Describe location and describe a research finding (procedure + finding) in relation to Milgram

Answer 38

Location - the original experiment was conducted in a prestigious university (Yale university). Milgram wanted to test what would happen to obedience when the location of the experiment was changed

P - when the location was changed to a run-down office in a run-down part of town
F - obedience fell from 65% at Yale university to 48% in the run down office
Milgram argued that this was because when the experiment was conducted in a run-down office the amount of perceived legitimate authority of the experimenter was reduced.

Question 39

Describe power of uniform and describe a research finding (procedure + finding) in relation to Milgram

Answer 39

Power of uniform - the wearing of uniforms can give a perception of added legitimate authority to the individual delivering the orders.

P - In Milgram’s experiment the researcher wore a grey lab coat which gave him an ‘air’ of authority

In one variation of Milgram’s study at the beginning of the study the experimenter in a lab coat was called away from the experiment to answer a phone call. The role of the experimenter was taken away by an ‘ordinary member of the public’ who wore everyday clothes.

F - in this variation obedience dropped to 20%

This suggests that uniform, does act as a strongly visual authority symbol and a cue to act in an obedient manner, and that when not in uniform the perceived legitimate authority of the experimenter was reduced.

Question 40

What are the 2 explanations for obedience

Answer 40

Agentic state
Legitimacy of authourity figure

Question 41

Define agentic state (3)

Answer 41

This is where people may move from being in a state where they take personal responsibility for their actions - an autonomous state - to a state where they believe they are acting on behalf of an authority figure - agentic state. (1)

This is known as the agentic shift. When an individual is in the agentic state, they lose sense of personal responsibility and they no longer feel guilty for their actions as they seem themselves as carrying out the wishes of a more knowledgeable authority figure (implicit or explicit instruction) (2)

If a person is in the agentic state, they are more likely to obery (3)

Question 42

Define legitimacy of authority figure (3)

Answer 42

Obedient individuals accept the power and status of authority figure e.g parents, teachers and police officers, and see them as being in charge (1)

The authority they have is legitimate in the sense that is agreed by society. We accept people’s credentials and believe they know what they are doing (2)

It is ingrained in us to obey these people - even when we believe the order may be un-ethical or unjust. Factors that can affect LOA are uniform and location (3)

Example - this is shown in Milgram’s research as when he changed the experiment and instead conducted his research in a seedy office or gave orders over the telephone, obedience reduced as the experimenter has less legitimate authority.

Question 43

Describe power of uniform and describe a research finding (procedure + finding) in relation to Milgram

Answer 43

Power of uniform - the wearing of uniforms can give a perception of added legitimate authority to the individual delivering the orders.

P - In Milgram’s experiment the researcher wore a grey lab coat which gave him an ‘air’ of authority

In one variation of Milgram’s study at the beginning of the study the experimenter in a lab coat was called away from the experiment to answer a phone call. The role of the experimenter was taken away by an ‘ordinary member of the public’ who wore everyday clothes.

F - in this variation obedience dropped to 20%

This suggests that uniform, does act as a strongly visual authority symbol and a cue to act in an obedient manner, and that when not in uniform the perceived legitimate authority of the experimenter was reduced.

Question 44

Describe the dispositional explanation for obedience (6-8 m)

Answer 44

Adorno proposed the dispositional explanation (authoritarian personality) as an explanation of obedience

It is an internal explanation for obedience, as the focus is on the idea that certain personality characteristics are associated with higher levels of obedience

The authoritarian personality is a collection of personality traits said to develop from strict parenting during an individual’s childhood e.g extremely strict discipline, an expectation of loyalty,, impossible high standards and severe criticisms of failings

The personality traits include showing extreme respect for perceived authority and submission to people in perceived authority as they are superior. People with an authoritarian personality also disapprove of individuals perceived as low status and direct anger towards them as inferior. They have black and white thinking and strict adherence to social rules and hierarchies

The authoritarian personality was assessed using the F-scale (potential for fascism scale) questionnaire by Adorno on a sample of over 2000 Americans ppts. Those who scored highly on questionnaire had the authoritarian personality and displayed the characteristics described above.

Question 45

Explanations of resistance introduction

Answer 45

Although some may conform or obey the demands of authority there are always people who resist pressures to conform or obey

Question 46

What are the two type of explanations of resistance

Answer 46

Social support
Locas of control (internal + external)

Question 47

Define social support (3)

Answer 47

People can resist pressures to conform or obey when they receive social support. This is because having an ally gives us confidence and support (1)

making it possible to resist the pressure to conform or obey and remain independent in our behaviour (2)

Individuals who have support for their point of view no longer fear being ridiculed, allowing them to avoid normative social influence (3)

Question 48

Define the term locus of control (2)

Answer 48

Locus of control is a personality trait which refers to a person’s perception of personal control over their behaviour (1)
There is a locus of control, which internal at one end and external at the other (2)

Question 49

Define internal locus of control (2)

Answer 49

Those with an internal locus of control believe they control what happens to them and their behaviour is caused by their own personal decisions and effort (1)
Individuals with a strong internal locus of control are more likely to remain independent in their behaviour and rely less on the opinions of others, which means they are better able to resist social influences (2)

Question 50

Define external locus of control (2)

Answer 50

Those with an external locus of control believe that what happens to them is determined by external factors such as the influence of others, luck or fate (1)
Individuals with an external locus take less personal responsibility for their actions and are less likely to remain independent in their behaviour so are less able to resist social influence.

Question 51

Define the term minority influence

Answer 51

Minority influence is a form of social influence where members of the majority group change their beliefs or behaviours because of the minority influencing their decision, this usually leads to internalisation. The minority must be consistent, show commitment and be flexible

Question 52

What does minority influence include (CCF)

Answer 52

Consistency
Commitment
Flexibility

Question 53

Define consistency

Answer 53

If the minority keep repeating the same beliefs to the majority, both over time (diachronic synchrony)
and between all individuals that form the minority (synchronic consistency), the majority then reassess the situation and consider the minority idea more carefully
e.g the same frequent time over the same period

Question 54

Define commitment

Answer 54

This suggests the minority must show dedication and make personal sacrifices when facing a majority. Some minorities engage in quite extreme activities to draw attention to their views. If these activities present some risk to the minority, this shows greater commitment. Majority groups may then pay even more attention. This is known as the augmentation principle
e.g sacrificing time for the event, organising and creating resources

Question 55

Define flexibility

Answer 55

Too much consistency can be seen as dogmatic and rigid and may stop the majority moving over to the minority viewpoint.
Members of the minority need to be prepared to adapt their point of view and accept the reasonable counter-arguments. The key is to strike a balance
e.g understanding both viewpoints

Question 56

Research on consistency and commitment

Answer 56

Was conducted and shown by Moscovici’s study

He conducted on 172 female ppts in a laboratory experiment , were 2 conditions

In condition 1 - a minority group of 2 people inconsistently called blue slides ‘green’ this shows little commitment. This has a little effect on the majority (only 1% changed their minds) the rest continued to call them blue

In the second condition, the minority group called all the blue slides green. In this condition where the minority were consistent and committed, 8% of the majority changed their answers to be in line with the minority

This shows the importance of showing a consistent and committed argument when a minority is trying to influence a majority.

Question 57

Define social change

Answer 57

Social change refers to a change in attitudes, behaviours or laws. These aren’t just with individuals but on a large scale, how societies (social norms) have changed.

An historical example of social change is increased rights for women. The suffragette movement in the UK won the campaign for women’s right to vote in the 1920’s

Question 58

Social change (6-8 marks)

Answer 58

When a minority has an idea, they must remain consistent (Moscovici et al) by having the same beliefs between members of the group, over a long period of time. They must also show commitment (xie et al) by showing dedication and making personal sacrifices. However, the minority also must be flexible and not completely rigid, by showing compromise if they want to change the majority opinion.

If the minority remain consistent, committed and are flexible they can change the beliefs of the majority publicly and privately (internalisation).

Once a few members of the majority start to move towards the minority begins to gather momentum as more people pay attention until eventually the minority idea eventually becomes a majority idea (snowball effect)

When the majority remembers the minority group the two become separated (social crypto-amnesia)

Social change has occurred, where there is a change in society’s attitudes, behaviours and laws