Social Influence- Definitions Flashcards
Conformity
Internalisation
Identification
Compliance
A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour even when the group is absent
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes
A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.
Informational Social Influence (ISI)
Normative Social Influence (NSI)
Describe the following key terms of Asch’s Research:
Group Size
Unanimity
Task difficulty
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accept it because we want to be correct as well. This may lead to internalisation
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. This may lead to compliance
Asch increased the size of the group by adding more confederates, thus increasing the size of the majority. Conformity increases with group size, but only up to a point, levelling off when the majority was greater than three
The extent to which all the members of a group agree. In Asch’s studies, the majority was unanimous when all the confederates selected the same comparison line. This produced the greatest degree of conformity in the naïve participants
Asch’s line-judging task is more difficult when it becomes harder to work out the correct answer. Conformity increases because naïve participants assume that the majority is more likely to be right.
Social Roles
Obedience
Describe the following key terms of Obedience: Situational Variables:
Situational variables
Proximity
Location
Uniform
The “parts” people play as members of various social groups. Everyday examples include parent, child, student, passenger and so on. These are accompanied by expectations we and others have of what is appropriate behaviour in each role, for example caring, obedient, industrious etc
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
In his research Milgram identified several factors that he believed influenced the level of obedience shown by participants. They are all related to the external circumstances rather than to the personalities of the people involved
The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving an order to. Also, refers to the physical closeness of the teacher to the victim (learner) in Milgram’s studies
The place where an order is issued. The relevant factor that influences obedience is the status or prestige associated with the location
People in positions of authority often have a specific outfit that is symbolic of their authority, for example police officers and judges. This indicates to the rest of us who is entitled to expect our obedience.
Agentic State
Legitimacy of authority
A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe ourselves to be acting for an authority figure (ie as their agent). This frees us from the demands of our consciences and allows us to obey even a destructive authority figure
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 (legitimate) by the individual’s position of power within a social hierarchy.
Dispositional Explanation
Authoritarian Personality
Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individual’s personality (ie their disposition). Such explanations are often contrasted with situational explanations
A type of personality that Adorno argued was 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
Social Support
Locus of Control (LOC):
Internals
Externals
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 pressure is influenced by both situational and dispositional factors
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
Refers to the sense we each have about what directs events in our lives
Internals believe they are mostly responsible for what happens to them (internal locus of control)
Externals believe it is mainly a matter of luck or other outside forces (external locus of control).
Minority Influence
Consistency
Commitment
Flexibility
A form of social influence in which a minority of people (sometimes just one person) persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. Leads to internalisation or conversion, in which private attitudes are changed as well as public behaviours
Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs, both over time and between all the individuals that form the minority. It’s effective because it draws attention to the minority view
Minority influence is more powerful if the minority demonstrates dedication to their position, for example, by making personal sacrifices. This is effective because it shows the minority is not acting out of self-interest
Relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is seen by the majority as unbending and unreasonable. Therefore minority influence is more effective if the minority show flexibility by accepting the possibility of compromise.
Social Influence
Social Change
The process by which individuals and groups change each other’s attitudes and behaviours. Includes conformity, obedience and minority influence
This occurs when whole societies, rather than individuals, adopt new attitudes, beliefs and ways of doing things. Examples include accepting that the Earth orbits the Sun, women’s suffrage, gay rights and environmental issues.
