Social Influence Knowledge

Question 1

What is compliance?

Answer 1

A superficial and temporary type of conformity where an individual outwardly goes along with the majority view but privately disagrees.

Compliance is public change without private belief adjustment.

Question 2

What are the three ways people conform according to Kelman (1958)?

Answer 2

• Compliance
• Identification
• Internalisation

These represent different levels of conformity.

Question 3

What characterizes compliance?

Answer 3

Adjustment of behavior and opinions to fit in, resulting in superficial change that is temporary and dependent on group presence.

Example: Claiming to like a popular singer to avoid ridicule.

Question 4

What is identification in the context of conformity?

Answer 4

Adjusting behavior and opinions to align with a group because membership is desirable, leading to public and private change that is usually temporary.

Example: Adopting behaviors of fellow soldiers in the army.

Question 5

What is internalisation?

Answer 5

Genuine adjustment of behavior and opinions, both publicly and privately, resulting in permanent change.

Example: Becoming vegan after exposure to vegan campaigns.

Question 6

What was the independent variable (IV) in Asch’s conformity experiment?

Answer 6

The type of trial (control trial vs. critical trial).

Control trials had confederates giving correct answers, while critical trials had them giving incorrect answers.

Question 7

What was the dependent variable (DV) in Asch’s study?

Answer 7

The level of conformity, measured by whether participants gave incorrect answers.

Conformity was measured against the responses of confederates.

Question 8

What percentage of participants conformed on at least one critical trial in Asch’s study?

Answer 8

75%

This indicates a significant level of conformity among participants.

Question 9

What effect did the presence of a non-conforming confederate have on conformity rates?

Answer 9

Conformity rates dropped significantly, demonstrating that dissent can reduce conformity.

From 32% in the baseline study to 5.5% with a correct dissenter.

Question 10

What happens to conformity rates as task difficulty increases?

Answer 10

Conformity rates increase as the task becomes harder.

This suggests that individuals look for guidance when the correct answer is ambiguous.

Question 11

What is informational social influence (ISI)?

Answer 11

A cognitive process where individuals conform because they believe the group has better information.

ISI typically occurs in ambiguous situations or crises.

Question 12

What is normative social influence (NSI)?

Answer 12

Conformity driven by the desire for social approval and acceptance, often leading to public compliance without private agreement.

NSI is emotionally driven and concerned with norms.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: ISI results in people publicly and privately accepting opinions and behaviors, therefore conforming via _______.

Answer 13

internalisation

This reflects a deeper level of conformity.

Question 14

What is a typical example of normative social influence?

Answer 14

An individual liking a sports team favored by peers despite not actually liking that sport.

This shows compliance to fit in with social circles.

Question 15

How did Asch test the influence of group size on conformity?

Answer 15

By varying the number of confederates from 1 to 15, observing changes in conformity rates.

Conformity increased with the number of confederates up to about 3.

Question 16

What did Bond and Smith (1996) find regarding the effect of additional confederates on conformity?

Answer 16

Adding extra confederates had no effect on overall conformity rates, peaking at around 4 or 5 confederates.

This supports Asch’s findings about group size.

Question 17

What is the process by which people learn to behave in certain situations?

Answer 17

Observing the social roles of others and conforming to this behaviour.

This process results in learned social roles that become internal mental scripts.

Question 18

What does conformity to social roles involve?

Answer 18

Identification.

A person changes their public behaviour and private beliefs while in a specific social role.

Question 19

Can you give an example of conformity to social roles?

Answer 19

A new teacher adopting the behaviours and beliefs of other teachers.

This includes actions like requesting students to tie their hair back.

Question 20

What was the aim of Zimbardo’s prison simulation study?

Answer 20

To investigate how readily people would conform to the social roles of guard and prisoner.

He also wanted to examine the influence of internal vs. external factors on behaviour.

Question 21

What sampling method did Zimbardo use for his study?

Answer 21

Volunteer sampling.

Participants responded to a newspaper advertisement.

Question 22

What was the procedure for assigning roles in Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 22

Participants were randomly allocated to the role of prisoner or guard based on a coin flip.

21 participants were selected after psychological and physical screening.

Question 23

What was one significant finding from Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 23

Guards became aggressive and assertive, while prisoners became submissive.

Some guards began to harass prisoners and exhibit sadistic behaviour.

Question 24

What were the psychological effects observed in prisoners during Zimbardo’s study?

Answer 24

Extreme reactions such as crying, rage, and acute anxiety.

Five prisoners had to be released early due to these symptoms.

Question 25

What conclusion did Zimbardo draw from his study regarding social roles?

Answer 25

Social roles strongly influence individuals' behaviour, leading to conformity even against moral principles. ## Footnote Situational factors were largely responsible for the behaviours exhibited.

Question 26

What was Milgram's aim in his obedience study?

Answer 26

To determine if ordinary American citizens would obey unjust orders from an authority figure. ## Footnote He also sought to explore whether Germans were more obedient than people from other countries.

Question 27

What design was used in Milgram's study?

Answer 27

A lab experiment. ## Footnote The independent variable was the predetermined answer given by the learner.

Question 28

What percentage of participants in Milgram's study administered the full 450 volts?

Answer 28

65%. ## Footnote All participants went to at least 300 volts.

Question 29

What were the signs of tension observed in participants during Milgram's study?

Answer 29

Sweating, trembling, stuttering, and even seizures. ## Footnote Many participants showed extreme emotional distress.

Question 30

What does the term 'agentic state' refer to?

Answer 30

When an individual gives up their free will and hands over responsibility to an authority figure. ## Footnote This state allows individuals to obey authority figures while experiencing moral strain.

Question 31

What is an 'autonomous state'?

Answer 31

A state where an individual feels responsible for their own actions and behaves according to their principles. ## Footnote This is the opposite of the agentic state.

Question 32

What are binding factors in Milgram's theory?

Answer 32

Aspects of a situation that allow an agent to ignore or minimize the damaging effects of their behaviour. ## Footnote These factors help reduce moral strain.

Question 33

How does proximity affect obedience according to Milgram's variations?

Answer 33

As proximity to the victim decreases, obedience increases. ## Footnote For example, obedience dropped when the teacher and learner were in the same room.

Question 34

What was the effect of changing the location of Milgram's study?

Answer 34

Obedience levels dropped to 47.5% when conducted in a run-down building. ## Footnote The prestigious university setting initially provided legitimacy to the experiment.

Question 35

How does uniform influence obedience?

Answer 35

Uniforms serve as symbols of authority and encourage obedience. ## Footnote The obedience rate dropped significantly when the experimenter was replaced by someone in ordinary clothes.

Question 36

What is the legitimacy of authority?

Answer 36

The societal agreement that certain individuals have the right to exercise power over others. ## Footnote This includes roles like parents, teachers, and police officers.

Question 37

What historical examples illustrate the dangers of destructive authority?

Answer 37

Leaders like Hitler, Stalin, and Pol Pot. ## Footnote These leaders used their legitimate powers for harmful purposes.

Question 38

What personality characteristics are associated with higher levels of obedience according to Adorno et al.?

Answer 38

Certain personality characteristics such as a tendency to be especially obedient and show extreme respect for authority, hatred for people perceived as having inferior social status, traditional attitudes to sex, race, and gender, and an inflexible outlook. ## Footnote These characteristics form part of the Authoritarian Personality theory.

Question 39

What does the 'F' in the F-scale stand for?

Answer 39

Fascist ## Footnote The F-scale was used to measure authoritarian personality traits.

Question 40

What is a key finding from Adorno et al.'s research regarding authoritarianism?

Answer 40

A strong positive correlation between authoritarianism and prejudice. ## Footnote This suggests that individuals with authoritarian traits are more likely to hold prejudiced views.

Question 41

What parenting features are thought to contribute to the development of an Authoritarian Personality?

Answer 41

* Extremely strict discipline * Expectation of complete loyalty * Impossibly high standards * Severe criticism of perceived failures * Conditional love ## Footnote These parenting styles can lead to resentment and hostility in children.

Question 42

What is scapegoating in the context of the Authoritarian Personality?

Answer 42

The displacement of fears and anger onto individuals perceived as weaker. ## Footnote This is a defense mechanism resulting from harsh parenting.

Question 43

What role does social support play in resisting social influence?

Answer 43

Social support builds confidence and allows individuals to remain independent, breaking the unanimity of the group. ## Footnote This was evidenced in Asch's study where conformity rates dropped significantly with the presence of a non-conforming ally.

Question 44

What is the internal locus of control (LoC)?

Answer 44

The belief that one has control over events in their life, attributing outcomes to personal actions. ## Footnote For example, believing success in an exam is due to hard work.

Question 45

How does an external locus of control (LoC) differ from an internal LoC?

Answer 45

An external LoC is the belief that outcomes are determined by external factors beyond one's control. ## Footnote For instance, attributing exam success to a good textbook.

Question 46

What is minority influence?

Answer 46

A situation where one person or a small group influences the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of others. ## Footnote Unlike conformity, which involves majority influence.

Question 47

What are the three key factors that enhance minority influence?

Answer 47

* Consistency * Commitment * Flexibility ## Footnote These factors help the minority to draw attention and encourage deeper processing of their views.

Question 48

What is the augmentation principle in minority influence?

Answer 48

The idea that the greater the personal sacrifice made by the minority, the more attention their views will receive. ## Footnote This is because it demonstrates commitment to their cause.

Question 49

What is the snowball effect in the context of social change?

Answer 49

The process where increasing numbers of people switch from the majority position to the minority position, leading to significant change. ## Footnote This often occurs after a minority viewpoint gains traction.

Question 50

What is social cryptomnesia?

Answer 50

A phenomenon where people remember that social change occurred but do not recall how it happened. ## Footnote This can happen after significant societal shifts.

Question 51

How can dissent lead to social change?

Answer 51

By breaking the power of the majority and encouraging others to dissent as well. ## Footnote This was demonstrated in Asch's variations.

Question 52

What is the relationship between obedience and social change?

Answer 52

Disobedience can lead to social change, as shown in Milgram's research with disobedient role models. ## Footnote Participants were more likely to disobey when paired with confederates who refused to follow orders.

Question 53

Fill in the blank: Minorities influence social change by drawing attention to an issue and expressing ________ over time.

Answer 53

consistency

Question 54

What are examples of social change mentioned in the text?

Answer 54

* Women’s suffrage * Environmental issues * Acceptance of heliocentrism ## Footnote These are significant societal changes driven by minority influence.