Social Influence - Key Words

Question 1

Conformity

Answer 1

A change in a person’s behavior or opinions as a result from real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people. (Elliot Aronson 2011)

Question 2

Internalisation

Answer 2

A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct.

Question 3

Identification

Answer 3

A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way because we value it and want to be part of it.

Question 4

Compliance

Answer 4

A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree.

Question 5

Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Answer 5

An explanation of conformity that say we agree with the opinion because we believe it is correct and we want to be correct too.

Question 6

Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Answer 6

An explanation of conformity that says we agree because we want to be accepted and be liked.

Question 7

Unanamity

Answer 7

The extent to which all the members of a group agree.

Question 8

Social Roles

Answer 8

The ‘parts’ people play as member of various social groups.

Question 9

Obedience

Answer 9

A form of social influence in which an individual follows a direct order.

Question 10

Situational Variables

Answer 10

In his research Milgram identified several factors that he believed influenced the levels of obedience.

Question 11

Proximity

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Location

Answer 12

The place where an order is issued.

Question 13

Uniform

Answer 13

The outfit that people wear to show their authority.

Question 14

Agentic State

Answer 14

A mental state where we feel no personal responsibility for our actions because we believe to have been behaving for an authority figure.

Question 15

Legitimacy of Authority

Answer 15

An explanation for obedience which suggests that we are more likely to obey people who we perceive to have authority over us.

Question 16

Dispositional Explanation

Answer 16

Any explanation of behaviour that highlights the importance of the individuals personality (i.e. their disposition).

Question 17

Authoritarian Personality

Answer 17

A type of personality that Adorno argued was especially susceptible to obeying people in authority.

Question 18

Resistance to Social Influence

Answer 18

Refers to the ability of people to withstand social pressures to conform to the majority or to obey authority,

Question 19

Social Support

Answer 19

The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same.

Question 20

Locus of Control

Answer 20

Refers to the sense we each have about what directs events in our lives. Internals believe that they are mostly responsible for what happens to them (Internal locus of control). Externals believes that it is mainly a matter of luck or other outside forces (external locus of control).

Question 21

Minority Influence

Answer 21

A form of social influence in which a minority of people (sometimes just one person) persuade others to adopt their beliefs, attitudes or behaviours.

Question 22

Consistency

Answer 22

Minority influence is most effective if the minority all keep the same beliefs and remains consistent.

Question 23

Commitment

Answer 23

Minority influence is more powerful if the minority display dedication to their position, for example, by making personal sacrifices.

Question 24

Flexibility

Answer 24

Relentless consistency could be counter-productive if it is seen by the majority as unbending and unreasonable.

Question 25

Social Influence

Answer 25

The process by which individuals and groups change each other’s attitudes and behaviours

Question 26

Social Change

Answer 26

This occurs when whole societies, rather than just individuals, adopt new attitudes, beliefs and ways of doing things. Examples include accepting that the Earth orbits the Sun, gay marriage and women’s suffrage.