Social Psychology Part 2

Question 1

Define Altruism

Answer 1

As behaviours that help other people with no apparent gain to the individual performing the behaviour.

Question 2

Define Obedience

Answer 2

The term used to describe when people follow orders from a figure of authority. While obedience is typically pro-social and important for maintaining order within society, there is also a darker side to obedience

Question 3

What are Factors that strengthen Obedience?

Answer 3

• Proximity to the victim
• Proximity to authority figure
• Personality (hostility)
• Legitimacy of authority
• liberating effects
• Directiveness of commands

Question 4

Explain the Milgram Experiment of Obedinece.

Answer 4

• ## It was a shock experiment that began in 1961

Question 5

Define Conformity

Answer 5

• Going along with the crowd

Question 6

Examples of Conformity

Answer 6

• Peer Pressure
• Gangs
• Group Norms
• Online ‘Trolling’

Question 7

Explain The Acsh Experiment

Answer 7

• The experiment highlighted conformity
• There was a group of 6 students and 5 of the students purposely provided the wrong answers. Solomon wanted to explore the power of conformity through that 6th student.

Question 8

What are the Reasons for Conforming?

Answer 8

1. Normative Social Influence: Conform to fit in and be part of a group
2. Informative Social Influence: Accept information from others

Question 9

What are the Factors that strengthen Conformity?

Answer 9

• Number of people in a group
• Everyone in the group agrees
• The group’s perceived status

Question 10

Define Bystander Effect

Answer 10

The phenomenon where people are less likely to help others when there is a group of people.

Question 11

Define Social Loafing

Answer 11

• It is another example of behaviours that occur within social groups
• Where people exert less effort in a group setting

Question 12

List of Techniques of Social Influence

Answer 12

1. Foot-in-the-door technique: starting with a small request then moving up to a larger request.
2. Door-in-the-face technique: Start with a larger request and when it’s denied request for a smaller request
3. Bait and switch technique: Drawing people in with an attractive offer that is no longer available but a. switching to a less attractive offer. Often used by real estate agents
4. Labelling technique: Assigning a label to an individual and then making a request that is consistent with that label. Shopping charity
5. Low-ball technique: Is starting with a lower request and then revealaing hidden costs after somebody has already committed.
6. Legitimation of paltry favors technique: Is making small amounts of aid acceptable
7. That’s not all technique: This starts with an inflated cost and then immediately adding a bonus.

Question 13

Define Reciprocal Altruism

Answer 13

Theory that natural selection favors animals that behave in an altruistic way if the likely benefit to each individual exceeds the likely cost over time

Question 14

Discuss the Zimbardo Experiment

Answer 14

Also known as the Stanford Prison Experiment. A mock prison was developed to investigate conformity, obedience, and roles.

Question 15

Define Diffusion of Responsibility

Answer 15

An element of the bystander effect where people are less likely to act because there are other people who could also act.