Social P+N

Question 1

2 strengths of agency theory (milgram 1973)

Answer 1

1. Supported by studies such as milgram where 65% of pp’s were willing to obey an authority figure and give electric shocks up to 450v (therefore acting in the agentic state…)
2. Has application to real life and can be used to explain the destructive obedience of soldiers e.g during Abu ghraib and can help atrocities being committed by training soldiers when they should question orders and take responsibility of their own actions.

Question 2

2 weaknesses of agency theory (milgram 1973)

Answer 2

1. More a description of how society works rather then an explanation of why people act either in the acetic or autonomous state
2. Individual differences- it does not explain why some individuals obey and others don’t e.g in milgrams study 35% did not obey and give the electric shocks

Question 3

2 strengths of social impact theory (latane 1981)

Answer 3

1. The theory is supported by latanes observations such as finding that people will tip more when they give individual bills then when they share a bill ( therefore because the number is smaller… )
2. This theory has application to society. It can be used to understand which social situations result in the greatest impact and which students present exceptions in the rules. It does seem to be able to predict behaviour under certain situations.

Question 4

2 weaknesses of social impact theory (latane 1981)

Answer 4

1. Although behaviour can be observed, the equations may not be able to accurately predict the outcome of social situations and does not account for individual differences. (Therefore it goes against latanes ideas about predicting…)
2. The theory seems to oversimplify the nature of human interaction and ignores individual differences e.g some ppl are more resistant to social impact. (Therefore it doesn’t explain or take into account ID and the complexity of human…)

Question 5

2 strengths to social identity theory (tajfel 1979)

Answer 5

1.has application to society e.g at football matches it’s necessary to change group boundaries and create a big in group to reduce conflict.
2. Supported by sherifs robber cave study which showed two groups of boys at a summer camp show prejudiced before competition was introduced and showed in group favouritism

Question 6

2 weaknesses of social identity theory (tajfel 1979)

Answer 6

1. Oversimplifies complex human behaviour, e.g cultural history and discrimination due to a long history of race and religion. (Therefore, a weakness because by saying that prejudice being formed by social categorisation disregards other causes of prejudice)
2. Other theories attempt to explain prejudice, e.g realistic conflict theory suggests that prejudice is formed when competition is introduced and there is a goal in sight. (Therefore this is a weakness because it goes against that the creation of in-groups are sufficient for prejudice)

Question 7

2 strengths to realistic conflict theory

Answer 7

1. Supported by robber cave experiment. When the boys were competing in camp games for valued prizes there were hostile attitudes towards the out groups. (Therefore, conflict rose because there was material gain with the prizes)
2. This has application to society and can help to prevent discrimination against different ethnic groups, e.g in the 1970’s there was racism due to white brits perceiving that the POC were a danger to their resources. (Therefore, there was a real or perceived scarcity of resources so hostility arose)

Question 8

2 weaknesses of realistic conflict theory

Answer 8

1. There are competing theory’s for example social identity theory saying that the creation of in-groups and out-groups is all that is needed for prejudice to arise, meaning that competition is not sufficient for inter group hostility to occur. (Therefore a weakness because it goes against that competition is sufficient for hostility and prejudice to occur)
2. In the robber cave experiment hostility arose before competition was introduced. (Therefore, the mere presence of another group caused hostility which is a weakness because there was conflict before competition)

Question 9

2 strengths of milgrims study of obedience

Answer 9

1. The study had good controls lacking bias. For example, there were four set prompts in order to avoid bias. (Therefore, the lack of bias means that a cause and effect conclusion can be drawn)
2. The study had experimental validity. There were well controlled and standardised procedures so the study is replicable and can be tested for reliability. (Therefore, the study is replicable and further studies can be carried out)

Question 10

2 weaknesses of milgrams study of obedience

Answer 10

1.the study was unethical. Deception where the pp were told it was about memory and learning. Pp’s were distressed and some showed shaking and even seizures. (Therefore, a weakness because the pp’s were likely to suffer psychological harm and it goes against ethical guidelines.
2. Lacks population validity as the study was only on us males. (Therefore it is not generalisable to other cultures, women or children. Weakness because no diversity and doesn’t represent other groups)