social influence

Question 1

AO1 - Conformity - Definition

Answer 1

Conformity refers to a change in a person’s behavior or beliefs due to real or imagined pressure from others.

Question 2

Types of Conformity - Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Answer 2

ISI occurs when individuals conform because they believe others possess accurate information. This is more likely in ambiguous situations where individuals are unsure.

Question 3

Types of Conformity - Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Answer 3

NSI occurs when individuals conform to be liked or accepted by a group, often in unambiguous situations where there is clear pressure to fit in.

Question 4

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - ISI

Answer 4

In a group discussion about the best way to solve a math problem, an individual might adopt the group’s answer because they believe others have more knowledge or experience, even if they initially had a different solution.

Question 5

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - NSI

Answer 5

A teenager might start smoking to fit in with their peer group, even though they do not personally believe in smoking, simply because they want to be accepted by the group.

Question 6

AO3 - Conformity - Strengths

Answer 6

ISI is well-supported by research, such as Sherif’s (1935) study on autokinetic effect, which demonstrates how individuals look to others for guidance in ambiguous situations.

NSI has been demonstrated in Asch’s (1951) conformity experiments, where participants conformed to incorrect answers to fit in with the group.

Question 7

AO3 - Conformity - Limitations

Answer 7

ISI may not account for individual differences, as some individuals may resist social influence regardless of the situation. NSI does not explain why some people resist group pressure, such as those with strong personal beliefs or values.

Question 8

AO1 - Obedience - Definition

Answer 8

Obedience involves complying with a direct order or command from an authority figure, often resulting in behavior that would not occur in other contexts.

Question 9

AO1 - Obedience - Studies

Answer 9

Milgram (1963) conducted a study where participants were instructed to administer increasingly severe shocks to a learner. Despite the learner’s distress, many participants continued to administer shocks under the authority figure’s direction, demonstrating high levels of obedience.

Question 10

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - Obedience in the Workplace

Answer 10

Employees may comply with a manager’s orders to perform tasks they might not agree with because of the perceived authority of their position.

Question 11

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - Obedience in Military Contexts

Answer 11

Soldiers may obey commands from their superior officers even if they involve actions they morally oppose, such as wartime atrocities, due to the hierarchical structure and authority.

Question 12

AO3 - Evaluation of Milgram/Obedience - Strengths

Answer 12

Milgram’s study provides strong evidence for the power of authority in shaping behavior, demonstrating that ordinary individuals can act in harmful ways under the influence of authority.

Question 13

AO3 - Evaluation of Milgram/Obedience - Limitations

Answer 13

The study was criticized for its lack of ecological validity as it was conducted in an artificial lab setting and may not reflect real-world situations of authority. Ethical concerns arise, as the study deceived participants and caused psychological harm, calling into question the use of deception in research.

Question 14

AO1 - Social Roles - Definition

Answer 14

Social roles refer to the expectations and behaviors associated with a particular position in society.

Question 15

AO1 - Social Roles - Key Study

Answer 15

Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment (1973) examined how participants assigned to the roles of guards or prisoners quickly adopted behaviors consistent with their social roles, even though these behaviors were extreme and harmful.

Question 16

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - Workplace

Answer 16

In the workplace, an employee might adopt a subservient role if placed in a lower-status position, leading to behaviors like unquestioning obedience or reluctance to assert opinions.

Question 17

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - Sports Team

Answer 17

In a sports team, players may internalize the role of ‘leader’ or ‘supporter,’ influencing how they behave both on and off the field.

Question 18

AO3 - Zimbardo Prison - Strengths

Answer 18

The Stanford Prison Experiment provides clear evidence of how powerful situational factors and social roles can be in shaping behavior, often leading to extreme actions.

Question 19

AO3 - Zimbardo Prison - Limitations

Answer 19

The study has been criticized for ethical issues (e.g., participants were subjected to harm) and methodological flaws, such as Zimbardo’s own involvement as the prison superintendent, which may have influenced the results. The results may lack generalizability due to the artificial environment and small sample size.

Question 20

AO1 - Minority Influence - Definition

Answer 20

Minority influence refers to the ability of a small group or individual to persuade the majority to adopt their beliefs or behaviors.

Question 21

AO1 - Minority Influence - Key Studies

Answer 21

Moscovici et al. (1969) demonstrated that a consistent minority group could persuade the majority to identify blue slides as green, showcasing the power of consistency in minority influence.

Question 22

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - Activists

Answer 22

Activists and social movements often represent a minority influence. Through consistency and commitment to their beliefs, they can shift public opinion and societal norms, such as the civil rights movement in the U.S.

Question 23

AO2 - Application to Real-Life Scenarios - Corporate Setting

Answer 23

In a corporate setting, a few employees advocating for sustainability practices might convince the majority to adopt eco-friendly policies by consistently presenting their arguments.

Question 24

AO3 - Minority Influence - Strengths

Answer 24

Studies like Moscovici’s highlight how the consistency of a minority group can lead to a change in the majority’s attitudes over time.

Question 25

AO3 - Minority Influence - Limitations

Answer 25

Minority influence is often slow and less visible, which can make it difficult to measure and study. The lack of ecological validity in laboratory studies may limit the applicability of findings to real-world scenarios.

Question 26

What is minority influence and how does it affect social change? (AO1)

Answer 26

• Minority Influence occurs when a smaller group or individual influences the majority to change their attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors.
• Moscovici’s Study (1969): Moscovici showed that a consistent and committed minority could influence a majority to change their opinions. In his study, participants were asked to judge the color of blue slides. When two confederates consistently called the slides green, the majority was influenced, showing that minorities can have a powerful impact.
• Key factors influencing minority influence:
• Consistency: A consistent minority view over time is more likely to influence the majority.
• Commitment: Minorities must show dedication, often through personal sacrifice, to demonstrate the strength of their conviction.
• Flexibility: While consistency is important, an overly rigid minority group can be seen as dogmatic, so flexibility is necessary to avoid alienation.

Question 27

How does minority influence apply to real-life scenarios? (AO2)

Answer 27

• Civil Rights Movements: Historical examples like the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for women’s suffrage demonstrate how minority groups, through consistent action and commitment, were able to challenge the majority and lead to significant social changes.
• Environmental Campaigns: Minorities advocating for climate action can influence larger groups and governments by persistently arguing for policy changes, ultimately leading to shifts in societal and governmental attitudes.

Question 28

What are the strengths and limitations of minority influence? (AO3)

Answer 28

Strengths:
• Research Support: Moscovici’s study provided evidence that a consistent minority could influence the majority, lending credibility to the idea of minority influence.
• Real-World Applications: Social movements, such as those advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, have successfully used minority influence to create lasting change in laws and societal attitudes.

Limitations:
• Artificial Tasks in Studies: Moscovici’s task (color perception) was artificial, and the findings may not fully translate to real-world situations where social influence is more complex and involves more significant issues.
• Undue Emphasis on Consistency: While consistency is important, more attention should be paid to how flexibility in minority views can also impact social change. Research suggests that an overly rigid stance may alienate the majority rather than persuade them.