Social Influence - Key Words

Question 1

Conformity

Answer 1

A change in a persons behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or a group of people.

Question 2

Internalisation

Answer 2

A deep form of conformity where we take the majority view as we accept it as correct and we want to be correct. This can lead to a permanent change in behaviour.

Question 3

Identification

Answer 3

A moderate form of conformity where we act the same way as others when in the group. We don’t necessarily agree with the views.

Question 4

Compliance

Answer 4

A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the group to fit in. Private views don’t change.

Question 5

What does ISI stand for?

Answer 5

Informational social influence

Question 6

What does NSI stand for?

Answer 6

Normative social influence

Question 7

ISI

Answer 7

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the majority because we believe it is correct. We want to be correct as well and may lead to internalisation.

Question 8

NSI

Answer 8

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion as we want to be accepted and gain social approval. This may lead to compliance.

Question 9

Group size

Answer 9

The number of people in a group

Question 10

Unanimity

Answer 10

The extent to which all the members of the group agree

Question 11

Task difficulty

Answer 11

How difficult a task is

Question 12

Social roles

Answer 12

The parts that people play as members of various groups eg. parent, child, teacher, student, passenger

Question 13

Obedience

Answer 13

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 does not comply.

Question 14

Internal validity

Answer 14

whether the experiment measures/tests what it is supposed to measure.
I.e. if the experimenter wants to know how cocaine affects brain function, using caffeine instead or making someone watch a video of themsleves get high whilst measuring brain function has low internal validity.

Question 15

External validity

Answer 15

A study has external validity when you know you can generalise the findings to other situations.
I.e. if you wanted to know how cocain affects brain function, only measuring brain function in addicts means that you cannot generalise to first time users or occasional users.

Question 16

Ecological validity

Answer 16

Ecological Validity is a form of external validity, concerned with whether results cannot be generalised to “real life” situations because of testing in a lab.

Question 17

Situational variables

Answer 17

Situational Variables are factors in the environment that can unintentionally affect the results of a study. Such variables include noise, temperature, odors, and lighting.

Question 18

Proximity

Answer 18

The physical closeness or distance of an authority figure to the person they are giving the orders to

Question 19

Location

Answer 19

The place where the order is issued. The relevant factor that influences obedience is the status associated with the location.

Question 20

Uniform

Answer 20

People in positions of authority often wear a specific outfit to symbolise their authority.

Question 21

Agentic State

Answer 21

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our behaviour because we believe we are working for an authority figure. This frees us from our conscience and allows us to follow even destructive authority figures

Question 22

Legitimacy of authority

Answer 22

An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have a higher authority over us. This is justified by the persons position of power of us within a social hierarchy

Question 23

Autonomous state

Answer 23

The opposite of agentic state, where you are independent or free. A person in this state feels responsible for their behaviours and actions.

Question 24

Dispositional explanation

Answer 24

Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individuals personality.

Question 25

Authoritarian personality

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Resistance to social influence

Answer 26

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 values

Question 27

Social support

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Locus of Control

Answer 28

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. Externals believe that it is mainly the matter of luck or other outside forces.

Question 29

Minority Influence

Answer 29

A form of social influence in which the minority of people persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours. Leads to internalisation or conversation in which private attitudes are changed as well ad public behaviours

Question 30

Consistency

Answer 30

Minority influence is most effective if the minority keeps the same beliefs, both over time and between all the individuals that form the minority. Its effective because it draws attention to the minority view

Question 31

Commitment

Answer 31

Minority influence is more powerful of the minority demonstrates dedication to their position, for example; making personal sacrifices. This is effective as it shows that the minority are not working out of self interest.

Question 32

Flexibility

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Social influence

Answer 33

The process in which individuals and groups change each others attitudes and behaviours.

Question 34

Social change

Answer 34

This occurs when whole societies, rather than just individuals adopt new attitudes eg. women’s suffrage, gay rights and environmental issues