Social Influence (paper 1)

Question 1

What is the lowest level of conformity and define it.

Answer 1

Conformity
A temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go with the majority view, but privately disagree with it.
The change in behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.

Question 2

What is the intermediate level of conformity and define it.

Answer 2

Identification
We act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be a part of it.
We may not believe in everything this majority believes in private.

Question 3

What is the highest level of conformity and define it.

Answer 3

Internalisation
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. This is a permanent change in behaviour even when the group is absent.

Question 4

Give two explanations for conformity.

Answer 4

Informational social influence
- 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 (may lead to internalisation)
Normative social influence
- we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to fain social approval and be liked (may lead to compliance)

Question 5

Evaluate NSI - research support

Answer 5

Evidence:
Asch interviewed his ppts
Conformed because they felt self-conscious, afraid of disapproval
Wrote answers down, conformity = 12.5% (no normative pressure)

Question 6

Evaluate NSI - individual differences

Answer 6

NSI doesn’t predict conformity in every case
Some people are more concerned by being liked by others (nAffiliators) -McGhee + Teevan

Question 7

Research support for ISI

Answer 7

Lucas
Conformity increased when problems were more difficult
Ppts didn’t want to be wrong
However,
NSI or ISI?
Dissenter in Asch’s study can provide NSI (social support) or ISI (alternate source of info)
NSI + ISI work together

Question 8

Evaluate NSI and ISI together

Answer 8

Impossible to work out if ISI or NSI or both is working
- both two parts of the same model?

Question 9

Outline Asch’s baseline study

Answer 9

123 American males
Compare lines to standard
Ppts seated last or next to last
Groups 6-8 with 1 ppts and rest confederates
Confederates consistently gave incorrect answers
36.8% conformed

Question 10

How did group size affect conformity in Asch’s study?

Answer 10

• varied number of confederates
• 1-15
• curvilinear relationship
• three confederates 31.8% conformity
• little difference after this

Question 11

How did unanimity affect conformity in Asch’s study?

Answer 11

• introduced a confederate who disagreed with other confederates (dissenter)
• one variation = correct answer
• other variation = different wrong answer
• conformity decreased compared to when majority was unanimous

Question 12

What affect did task difficulty have in Asch’s baseline study?

Answer 12

• lines made more similar- harder to judge
• conformity increased because right answer unclear
• (ISI)

Question 13

Evaluate Asch’s study

Answer 13

-Artificial situation and task
-Support - Lucas math problems Hard task=higher conformity
-however- more confident ppts didn’t conform
-Limited application
US=individualist culture
women=more conformist
-deception

Question 14

Outline zimbardo’s research (Stanford prison exp)

Answer 14

• mock prison 21 men tested as ‘medically stable’
• randomly assigned
• encouraged to conform
• prisoners rebelled - put down then became withdrawn + depressed
• exp ended 6/14 day
• prisoners=loose smock+cap
• guards=uniform+wooden club+shades+handcuffs
  -loss of personal identities

Question 15

Evaluate SPE

Answer 15

-Abu Graib prison USA military abused prisoners
- control over variables
-lack of realism (ppts acting)
- McDermott- 90% prisoner convos about prison life
- not all guards behaved brutal- some fair (exaggerated)
- alternative explanations-not all guards conformed