Social Influence Flashcards
What is Conformity?
A change in a persons behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people
What is Unanimity in conformity?
The extent to which all the members of the group agree
What is Internalisation?
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct
What is Identification?
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be a part of it
What is Compliance?
A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it
What is Informational Social Influence?
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct
What is Normative Social Influence?
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want o gain social approval and be liked
What are Social Roles?
The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups
What is Obedience?
A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order from an authority figure.
What are Situational Variables?
Features of the immediate physical and social environment which may influence a person’s behaviour (e.g. proximity, location and uniform)
What is Proximity? (Social influence)
The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving an order to
What is Location? (Social influence)
The place where an order is issued
What is Uniform? (Social influence)
People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority
What is the Agentic State?
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure
What is Legitimacy of Authority?
An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us
What is the Authoritarian Personality?
A type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority
What is resistance to social influence?
Refers to the ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority
What is Social Support?
The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same
What is the Locus of Control
Refers to the sense we each have about what directs events in our lives
What is an internal locus of control?
When people believe they are responsible for what happens to them
What is an external locus of control?
When people believe they are not responsible for what happens to them
What is minority influence?
A form of social influence in which a minority of people persuades others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours
What is Consistency? (Minority Influence)
When the minority keeps the same beliefs both over time and between all the individuals that form the majority
What is Commitment? (Minority Influence)
Minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrates dedication to their position
What is Flexibility? (Minority Influence)
Relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is seen by the majority as unbending and unreasonable
What are the 3 types of conformity?
Compliance, Identification and Internalisation
What are the 3 situational variables affecting obedience?
Location, Proximity and Uniform
