Test 3 Conformity and Group Influence

Question 1

what are norms

Answer 1

expectations held by a group bout what is good/bad, right/wrong.

• socially constructed
• vary on group

Question 2

what is an explicit norm

Answer 2

written/discussed

Question 3

what is an implicit norm

Answer 3

unwritten

Question 4

what are the 2 reasons members conform according to Asch

Answer 4

liking and perceived group to be more informed

Question 5

conformity is important even in ________

Answer 5

small groups

-conformity in groups of 3/4 as likely as in larger groups

Question 6

According to Asch, what did the strength of an ally do

Answer 6

a single nonconformist (rebel) reduced conforming (rebellious) behavior by 75%

Question 7

what are the “whys” of conformity

Answer 7

• group locomotion (motivate to achieve group goals)
• social comparison (make judgement about ourselves by comparing to others)
• consistency/balance (uncomfortable to go against liked group)

Question 8

what is conformity in action

Answer 8

tend to see action as appropriate when others doing it, esp when uncertain

Question 9

define deindividuation

Answer 9

• less focus on self, sees self as member of group, not as individual.
• size of group can lead to greater deindividuation (mobs, riots, etc)

Question 10

define social loafing

Answer 10

in groups, ppl may not try as hard as working along

• don’t expect our efforts to lead to personally valued outcomes
• ppl try to benefit from other’s efforts when possible

Question 11

what is the “sucker effect”

Answer 11

when people suspect others are loafing and do the same

Question 12

explain conformity in action involving cults

Answer 12

• indoctrination occurs in 4 stations:
  1. softening up stage (befriend, invite)
  2. compliance (experiment behaviors requested by cult)
  3. internalization (consider some of cult beliefs as more acceptable)
  4. consolidation (become loyal and demonstrate allegiance)

Question 13

explain the persuasive arguments theory involving its influence in small groups

Answer 13

• explains influence at individual level

- within each group, set standard of arguments for or against any decision

Question 14

what are novel arguments

Answer 14

those unknown to the group are created during discussion, cause members to reconsider their initial choices.
-groups ultimately persuaded by novel arguments

Question 15

explain the distributed valence model

Answer 15

• focus on explaining influence at sub-group level
• group final decision can be determined by counting group member +/- comments for each decision option
• majority rule wins

Question 16

explain the group argument model

Answer 16

• focus on explain influence at group level

- examine types of arguments made by groups and subsequent outcomes

Question 17

what are the 4 argument types of the group argument model

Answer 17

1. claims (statements of facts)
2. reasoning statements (…because; justification)
3. agreements
4. disagreements
   - first 3 are accurate predictors of decision outcomes

Question 18

explain minority influence in small groups

Answer 18

• small # ppl can influence larger # of fellow group members
• occurs less frequently than majority influence

Question 19

what makes minority influence work

Answer 19

• consistency (view consistent thru discussion)
• minority size (smaller minorities, greater impact)
• discussion topic (more influential when discuss factual topics w/ clear right/wrong answer than topics)