Social Psychology: Social Influences on Behaviour Flashcards
Social Psychology
“How YOU affect ME?”
The study of how people influence the behaviour, beliefs, and attitudes of others.
Social Comparison Theory
SCT suggests that people value their own personal/social worth by comparing themselves to others.
UPWARD comparison focuses on comparing oneself to superior groups (Jealousy [-], Motivation [+])
DOWNWARD comparison focuses on comparing oneself to inferior groups (Scorn [-], Gratitude [+])
CONFROMITY
“Going along w/ the crowd.” -Not forced
Changing perceptions, opinions, or behaviours in ways that are consistent with group norms.
Sherif’s Study
In a dark room, a pinpoint of light appeared 15 feet in-front of the participants. They were asked “How far did light move?” Result? Although participants had their personal norm, the group discussion increased their conformity to group norms. The second time they were alone, their initial norm was “crossed out” and the group norm was considered.
Asch’s Study
Participant were surrounded by a few confederates. Along w/ the confederates, they were asked to determine which of the comparing lines matched the standard line. Realize, the confederates either gave correct or incorrect answer. Result? Participants went along 37% of the time.
Based on Asch’s study, what factors affect the rate of conformity?
Unanimity vs. Supporter
- If you have a partner (aka. supporter), the rate of conformity will decrease.
Difficulty and Familiarity of Task
-If you are unknowledgeable, you will seek guidance from your fellow peers. The rate of conformity will increase.
Size of the Majority
- If there are several people agreeing to one thing, the rate of conformity will increase.
Individual and Cultural Differences
- If you have low self-esteem, the rate of conformity will increase.
Why do people conform?
Informational Social Influence
- Believing others are correct in their judgement.
- Explained by Sherif’s study.
Normative Social Influence
- Fearing the consequences of appearing deviant.
- Explained by Asch’s study.
Brain Imaging Studies
- Decreases amygdala activity (i.e., anxiety).
- Desire to reduce conflict.
OBEDIENCE
“Following orders.” -Forced
Changing behaviour due to direct commands from an authority figure.
Milgram’s Experiment
As instructed by the experimenter, a teacher (participant) was told to increase shock levels if the learner (fake participant) answered incorrectly. When would participants stop giving shocks? The experimenter used prods as a way of telling the participant to not stop. Result? 65% (or 26) of the participants continued to 450 volts, when 300 was baseline.
Based on Milgram’s experiment, what factors affect the rate of obedience?
Situational Factors
- Experimenter’s authority.
- Distance b/w participant and learner.
- Distance b/w participant and experimenter.
- Unanimity.
Personality Differences
- Higher authoritarianism = more likely to obey.
- Higher conscientiousness and agreeableness (i.e., those who follow rules/norms, and agree to society’s answers) = more likely to obey.
- Higher moral reasoning = less likely to obey.
Why do people obey?
Legitimate Authority
Society gives power or authority to certain people that they can exercise over others (ex. police officers to citizens; doctors to patients; teachers to students) -legal authority figures.
Agency Theory
‘Puppets’ of others, not responsible for the consequences -I’m just being told what to do.
Graduated Commitment
‘Foot in the door.’ -If you agree to do 1 small thing, it’ll be harder to refuse the larger things.
SOCIAL FACILITATION VS. INTERFERENCE
“How WE preform in a group.”
Social Facilitation
- Performance enhanced in a group.
- Simple or well-learned tasks.
Social Interference
- Performance impaired in a group.
- Difficult or novel tasks.
Zajonc’s Model of Social Facilitation
The presence of others (indeed, their mere presence) increases arousal and facilitates dominant response tendencies. This improves performance on easy or well-learned tasks, but hinders performance on difficult or novel tasks.
BYSTANDER NONINTERVENTION
“Helping in the presence of others.”
aka. Bystander Effect
People are less likely to respond to emergency when in groups than when alone.
Why does bystander non-intervention occur?
Diffusion of Responsibility
“Passing the buck” -The tendency to believe that someone else has intervened, so you don’t have to.
Pluralistic Ignorance
“Does anyone else think this is an emergency?” -If no one else is responding, it probably isn’t an emergency.
SOCIAL LOAFING
The tendency for people to put less effort into a task when they are in a group than when they are alone.
Ringelmann’s Rope Pulling Experiment
Latane’s Study
Participants (wearing headphones) were asked to clap/cheer as loud as they could. The participants started off alone, then the number size increased to 6 participants. Result? The sound pressure per participant decreased as the group size increased.
Why do people “slack-off” in groups?
Diffusion of Responsibility
Assuming someone else will take on the responsibility.
Anonymity
The tendency to slack because no one will know which part of the group project was done by who.
No Clear Standards in Groups
No group lead, no clear instructions.
How to reduce social loafing?
- Establishing individual accountability.
- Assign distinct responsibilities.
- Encouraging team loyalty.
- Decreasing the “sucker effect”.
DEINDIVIDUATION
“Getting lost in the crowd.”
A characteristic of the individual in the crowd. The tendency for rational individuals to transform into an unruly group or crowd.
Zimbardo’s - Stanford Prison Experiment
Why does deindividuation occur?
Loss of Sense of Identity
Sense of Anonymity
Diffusion of Responsibility
