Social influence Flashcards
Conformity
A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or a group of people
Social roles
The ‘parts’ people play as members of various social groups. Eg, parent, teacher, child. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role, for eg caring, obedient, industrious
Obedience
A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order. The person issuing the order is usually a figure of authority, who has the power to punish when obedient behaviour is not forthcoming
Situational variables
Factors that are believed to influence the level of obedience shown by participant. They are all related to the external circumstances rather than to the personalities of the people involved
Agentic state
A mental state where we fell no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure, as their agent. This frees us from the demands of our conscience and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure
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. This authority is justified by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy
Dispositional explanation
Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual’s personality
Authoritarian personality
A type of personality that Adorno argued wads especially susceptible to obeying people in authority. Such individuals are also thought to be submissive to those of higher status and dismissive of inferiors
Resistance to social influence
Refers to the ability of people to withstand the social pressure to conform to the majority or to obey authority. This ability to withstand social pressures is influenced by both situational and dispositional factors
Social support
The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible
Social influence
The process by which individuals and groups change each other’s attitudes nd behaviours, Includes conformity, obedience and minority influence
Social change
This occurs when whole societies, rather than just individuals, adopt new attitudes, beliefs and ways of doing things . Egs include accepting that the Earth orbits the Sun, gay rights and environmental issues
