Social Influence

Question 1

Obedience

Answer 1

When an individual acts in direct response to an order from an authority figure

Question 2

Discuss research into obedience

Answer 2

MILGRAM researches obedience by asking participants to carry out an unjust order
He used a lab experiment which at Yale University involving 40 participants
The study deceived the participants into playing the role of a teacher and were asked to give electric shocks to ‘learners’ in 15 volt increments by the experimenter in a lab coat.
The study continued until the refused to shock or 450 volts were reached; after which a debriefing occurred
All participants went to 300 volts, 65% went up to 450 volt (potentially fatal)
WEAKNESS- Unethical as some were psychologically damaged
STRENGTH- Debrief

Question 3

Explanations for obedience

Answer 3

AGENTIC STATE
When an individual’s seems to switch from autonomous state, where they feel responsible for their actions, to an agentic state, where they feel like they are agents of others
HOWEVER- this doesn’t explain why some participants in Milgram’s study refused to shock or why atrocities eg Battalion 101 occur without orders
LEGITIMACY OF AUTHORITY
When the individual giving the order is seen to have the right to do so eg teacher or police
STRENGTH- Blass and Schmitt found students blamed the experimenter
It also explains the My Lai Massacre

Question 4

Discuss situational variables affecting obedience

Answer 4

Situational variables- refer to the external circumstances rather than the individuals personality. Milgram manipulated:
LOCATION- refers to where the order is given
When Milgram’s performed study at rundown building obedience rates reduced to 47.5%
UNIFORM- when experimenter wore everyday clothes obedience rates reduced to 20%
PROXIMITY-
Teacher and learner in same room 40%
Teacher forced hand of learner 30%
order given by phone 20.5%

Question 5

Discuss dispositional variables affecting obedience

Answer 5

Dispositional variables explains it is the personality factors that affect obedience
An authoritarian personality is particularly obedience but dismissive of others seen as inferior and they hold rigid views
It originates from a strict upbringing and unconditional love during childhood
This leads to hostility which is displaced onto those seen as inferior; it is measured on the f-scale (f stands for fascism)
Strength- Milgram supported it by finding a correlation between those who scored high on f scale and likelihood obey
Weakness- Christie and Jahoda argued the f scale is too right wing bias and therefore is limited in explaining obedience across the whole political spectrum

Question 6

Conformity

Answer 6

A change in behaviour or opinion due to group pressure

Question 7

Types of conformity

Answer 7

INTERNALISATION-

• A deep type of conformity
• Involves changing public+private opinion and is not dependent on the presence of a group
• Most permanent and lasts even when the majority isn’t present
• Linked to informational social influence

IDENTIFICATION

• Moderate type of conformity
• Involves changing public and private opinion bc you value being part of the group
• Only lasts as long as the group is present

COMPLIANCE

• Superficial type of conformity
• Involves changing public but not private opinion to fit in with the group
• Not permanent and only lasts as long as the group is present
• Linked to normative social influence

Question 8

Discuss explanations for conformity

Answer 8

Informational social influence
Conforming because you do not know what the right thing is to do but want to be correct. They follow he majority because they think they know what the right thing is to do
It tends to involve internalisation

Normative social influence
Conforming because you want to be liked/accepted by the group.
They may publicly change their opinion but privately disagree
It is AKA compliance

HOWEVER-
The ISI and NSL are viewed as separate but some psychologist suggest they work together
The power of social roles is another explanation