Social Influence Flashcards
Define ‘conformity’.
“A change in behaviour or beliefs as a result of a real or imagined group pressure. This is the minority yielding to the majority.
What are the 3 types of conformity?
- Compliance
- Internalisation
- Identification
Define ‘compliance’.
Publically conforming to behaviour or views of others but privately maintaining ones own views. The most superficial type of conformity.
Public –> Temporary
Define ‘identification’.
Private or public acceptance of majority influence to become a member of the group but it’s temporary and generally stops when an individual is no longer with the group.
Public & Private –> Temporary
Define ‘internalisation’.
Publically and privately conforming and agreeing. This is a complete change of beliefs and the deepest level of conformity.
Public & Private –> Perminant
Define ‘normative influence’.
The desire to be liked in order to be accepted by a group.
Normally leads to compliance.
Define ‘informational influence’.
The desire to be right, because we aren’t sure of our own ideas and beliefs.
Normally leads to internalisation.
Define ‘obedience’.
Obedience is the result of social influence where somebody complies to the demand of an authority figure.
What was Hofling’s (1966) study?
Field experiment on real-life nurses:
- 22 participants
- 1 fake doctor (Confederate)
- Confederate called the nurses and told them to check and administer 20mg of a drug but that max dose was 10mg.
- —> 95% conformed and broke three vital hospital rules- Accepting instructions over the phone
- Exceeding the maximum dose
- Administering and unauthorised drug.
What factors affect obedience?
- Agentic State
- Legitimate authority figures
- Gradual comittment
- Buffers
- Proximity
- Location
What makes people resist the pressures to conform?
- Small majority
- Strong personal convictions
- Disenters
Define ‘locus of control’.
An individuals beliefs and expectations about what happens in their lives.
Define ‘internal locus of control’.
The belief that the events in your life are largely a consequence of your own behaviour. You can control your own life and succeed in stressful situations.
Define ‘external locus of control’.
The belief that what happens to you is a result of external factors or agents. What happens is largely uncontrollable. Luck and fate are important factors.
