Specific definitions Flashcards
Obedience
Changing behaviour in response to a direct order by an authority figure.
Social response to authority
People who obey an authority figure usually do so to avoid punishment OR have a strong belief in the authority figure.
Conformity
Changing behaviour to align with those of a group due to real or implied pressure.
When does conformity increase/decrease (Group size)
Rates of conformity increase as group size increases. Groups of 3-5 members having highest conformity levels. Once group size exceeds 5 little impact is made to the degree of conformity between members.
Antisocial behaviour
Behaviour that harms society and its members by intentionally violating the rights of others.
Unanimity
When people all agree about the same thing. When a group lacks unanimity level of conformity decreases.
Deindividuation
The process whereby people have reduced self-awareness and feel less inhibited in group situations
Social loafing
The tendency for an individual to reduce their effort when working in a group
Bystander
A person present at an event but not taking part
Bystander effect
Proposes the more people present, the less likely help will be offered by any of the individuals. (Kitty genovese)
Bullying
The purposeful use of a difference in power to repeatedly cause physical, psychological or social harm.
Attitude
An evaluation made up of the feelings, beliefs and behaviours toward a person, social group, event or social group.
Theory of cognitive dissonance
A feeling of mental discomfort when contradictory information is perceived by a person.
Magnitude as a factor affecting cognitive dissonance
Magnitude is a subjective measure of the level of discomfort an individual feels when they experience cognitive dissonance. The greater the magnitude of dissonance, the greater the pressure felt to reduce it.
Attribution
The process of attaching meaning to our behaviour, or the behaviour of others by looking for causes to explain the behaviour.
