Social Influences Flashcards
What is conformity?
A change in a person’s behaviour due to real social pressure.
what are the 3 types of conformity proposed by Herbert Kelman (1958)?
-Internalisation -Identification -Compliance
what is internalisation?
internalisation occurs when an individual accepts influence because the content of the attitude or behaviour proposed is consistent with their own value system.
What is identification?
A form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular person or group.
What is compliance?
When an individual accepts influence because they hope to achieve a favourable reaction from those around them.
What do Morton Deutsch and Harold Gerard propose as an explanation for conformity?
A two-Process theory involving informational social influence (ISI) And normative social influence (NSI)
What is informational social influence (ISI)?
Informational social influence is a form of influence, which is a result of the desire to be right.
What is normative social influence (NSI)?
Normative social influence is a form of influence whereby an individual conforms with the expectations of a majority in order to gain approval or to avoid social disapproval.
What are the evaluation points for the types and explanations of conformity?
-Difficulty distinguishing between compliance and internalisation. -Research support for normative influence, e.g. smoking take-up (Linkenbach and Perkins). -Research support for informational influence, e.g. attitudes about African Americans now (Wittenbrink and Henley). -People underestimate the impact of normative influence on their behaviour (Nolan et al.). -informational influence is moderated by type of task (Laughlin).
What was the procedure for Asch’s research into conformity?
Participants shown ‘standard line’ and 3 ‘comparison lines’/correct answer obvious/participants asked to match the standard/group=naive participant+6-8 confederates/naive participant last/18 trials, 12 trials=confederates answered wrong
What were the findings for Asch’s research into conformity?
Naive participant=25% did not conform, 75% did/Asch effect=extent of conformity in trivial task/participant post-interview=conformed to avoid rejection (NSI)
What were Asch’s variations of research into conformity?
-Group size -Unanimity -Task difficulty -Private answers
How does group size affect the extent of conformity?
- 3 confederates=conformity up by 31.8%; more confederates=small difference - small majority=no conformity; large majority=no need
How does unanimity affect the extent of conformity?
- Disagreeing confederate=reduced conformity (25% average) - participant could behave more independently
How does the task difficulty affect the extent of conformity?
- More similar line length=conformity increased - Greater ISI effect when the task is harder
How do private answers affect the extent of conformity?
- Written answers=conformity down 2/3=less pressure=less NSI effect
What are the evaluation points for Asch’s research into conformity?
-Asch’s research a ‘child of its time’ (Perrin and Spencer). -We know very little about the effects of larger majority sizes on conformity levels. -independent behaviour rather than conformity-participants maintained their independence on two-thirds of trials. -Unconvincing confederates-Mori and Arai overcame this problem. Similar results to Asch. -Cultural differences in conformity-Smith et al. Found conformity rates higher in collectivist cultures.
What are social roles?
Social roles are the behaviours expected of an individual who occupies a given social position or status.
What was the aim of Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment?
Whether people will conform to new social roles (situation=behaviour)
What was the procedure for the Stanford prison experiment?
Participants=emotional stable male Stanford Uni psych students; randomly allocated role of prisoner/guard; unexpectedly arrested at home; deindividuation (referred to by number)/spent 23 hours a day locked in cells; prison guards=uniforms, sticks, mirrored glasses; meant to last 2 weeks
What were the results from the Stanford prison experiment?
Stopped after 6 days; guards became brutal; day 2=prisoners rebelled, guards became harsher (harassment);prisoners became depressed/anxious; one prisoner released=psychological disorder; one prisoner one hunger strike=force fed=shunned by prisoners; guards identified closely with their role; prisoners did as told.
What was the conclusion drawn from the Stanford prison experiment?
The situation caused the participants to conform to social rules by changing their behaviour.
What are the evaluation points of Zimbardo’s research?
-Conformity to roles is not automatic-Haslam and Reicher argue the guards chose how to behave, rather than blindly conforming to their social role. -Demand characteristics-Banuazizi and Movahedi argue that participants’ behaviour in the SPE was a response to powerful demand characteristics. -Were these studies ethical? Zimbardo’s study followed ethical guidelines, but participants still suffered. Greatest steps to minimise potential harm to participants in the BBC study. -The SPE and its relevance to Abu Ghraib-similarities between the SPE and prisoner abuses at Abu Ghraib. -What did we learn? Zimbardo claims on unthinking conformity can lead to a drift into tyranny. Disputed by Reicher and Haslam.
What were the ethical issues of Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment?
-Informed consent: Participants volunteered/couldn’t fully consent to everything. -Deception: Informed their rights would be taken/were not told they would be arrested by surprise. -Right to withdraw: Told they could leave/prison environment made it feel impossible (respond as superintendent). -Protection from harm: weren’t protected from psychological harm [couldn’t be predicted].
What is obedience to authority?
Form of social influence where a person follows a direct order from an authority figure who can punish disobedience.
What was the aim of Stanley Milgram’s research?
After the events of the Holocaust Milgram aimed to investigate whether the Germans were more obedient.
What was the procedure of Milgram’s obedience study?
40 male participants (recruited=newspaper ad/flyers);participants between 20-50 from range of jobs; paid $4.50;in Yale Uni lab; fixed draw: confederate=learner/participant=teacher; experimenter=actor in lab coat; participants told they could leave at any time; learner strapped to chair/wired with electrodes=shocked when wrong[not real];15-450 volts=learner no response after 315;4 prods for teacher unsure.
What were the findings of Milgram’s obedience study?
No participants stopped below 300 volts;12.5% stopped at 300 volts;65% continued to highest 450 volts; qualitative data: participants showed extreme tension (sweat, tremble etc.);Prior: 14 psych students predicted no more than 3% would go to 450 volts (findings unexpected);all participants debriefed, assured behaviour was normal; follow up questionnaire=84% glad to have participated.
What are the evaluation points for Milgram’s obedience study?
-Internal validity-Orne and Holland claim many participants saw through the deception. -Historical validity-Milgram’s findings still as relevant today. No relationship between year of study and obedience levels found (Blass).
What are the ethical issues with Milgram’s obedience study?
-Deception: Believed role allocation random/real shocks=could affect behaviour [necessary for internal/ecological validity; participants debriefed]. -Protection from harm: Adequate proportions not taken; participants exposed to extreme distress [follow-up questionnaire=84% glad to take part]. -Right to withdraw: Money/prods=no right to withdraw [made clear participants would still be paid if they didn’t continue].
