Social Influence Flashcards
What was Asch’s study and what were the results
A line judgement experiment, stooges would give the wrong answer and the participant would then give their answer
A third of the participants conformed to the wrong answer
What factors affected conformity and how during Asch’s study?
Number of stooges - the more stooges the more conformity as it seemed they knew better (up to a certain amount)
Lack of unanimity - stooges gave different answers, conformity decreases as there was less informational social influence (less pressure)
Task difficulty - the harder, the more conformity as the lack of clarity meant participants looked for confirmation
Anonymity - answers in private decreased conformity as it eliminated normative social influence
What were the issues with Asch’s study?
A child of its time - done in the 1950s so it is outdated and can’t be generalised to modern society
Can’t be concluded that participants conform to a majority as only 37% did
Ethics - causing anxiety is a violation of the British psychology society’s rules so they must be protected from harm
- deception used and the true aim wasn’t explained, needs a debrief
What was zimbardos prison study?
75 male student volunteered and 21 used. Random selection for role.
Mock prison - prisoners arrested and finger printed
Dehumanisation - numbering participants
2 week study
What were the results of zimbardo’s study?
Initial rebellion crushed, guards became sadistic by taunting prisoners and giving them meaningless tasks and prisoners referred to each other by number
Prisoner released after a crying rage 3 more released soon after
Stopped after 6 days due to the extent of harm
What are situational and dispositions hypotheses?
Dispositional - due to the personality of the inmate
Situational - due to the situation of the environment (in the prison)
What were the conclusions and evaluation of zimbardo’s study
Situational - no participants had shown the traits of the behaviours before the study so it was the environment
Individual differed are important as not all guards acted the same
What was Milgram’s study?
Participant was a teacher and asked student (stooge) questions and every wrong answer the teacher had to deal a shock of increasing voltage while being encouraged to do the shock
What were the results of Milgram’s study?
65% completed all the shocks because “they told me to”
What variations affected the level of obedience in Milgram’s study and why?
Location (uni to warehouse) - less obedience, less legitimacy of authority
Proximity - teacher held students hand on plate less obedience, more personal responsibility
Uniform (lab coat to jeans) less obedience as less legitimacy of authority
Ps instructing someone else to administer the shock - less obedience, less personal responsibility
Social support - two “teachers” refused to shock so obedience decreased as the presence of others influenced behaviour
What study researched LOC and resisting conformity?
Students were exposed to others who expressed a pro drug attitude and they were then asked about their attitude towards drugs
What were the results and conclusion of the study researching LOC and resisting conformity?
People with an internal LOC didn’t change their mind but those with an external LOC did
So those with an internal LOC are more likely to resist conformity
What study researched LOC and resisting obedience?
Participants from corporate banks were asked by a senior boss to make an illegal trade
What were the results and conclusion of the study researching LOC and resisting obedience?
Those with an external LOC obeyed more than those with an internal LOC
So people with an internal LOC are more likely to resist conformity
What three factors are important in achieving minority influence?
Consistency - doing/saying the same thing over time
Flexibility - being moderate, cooperative, reasonable and open to discussion
Commitment - showing self sacrifice
