The Social Area Flashcards
What are the assumptions of the social area?
behaviour is influenced by other people in our surrounding environment
behaviour is influenced by our social situation
environment can determine our behaviour
How does Milgrams study show behaviour is influenced by situation and individual characteristics?
hypothesised holocaust was result of germans characteristics, realised people getting orders from a person of authority will obey regardless of personal beliefs
How does Piliavins study link to understanding human behaviour in terms of influence by individuals and groups?
impact of influence through modelling behaviour (influencing a group)
diffusion if responsibility- larger groups likely to provide help compared to smaller groups
How does Milgrams study help us understand real life social issues?
obedience as a factor for committing atrocities- holocaust
How does Bocchiaros study help us understand real life social issues?
obedience in the face of unethical practice and whistleblowing
failure to report bad practice in NHS
How does Piliavin study help us understand real life social issues?
explain helping behaviour in emergency situations (kitty Genovese)
How does Levines study help us understand real life social issues?
helping behaviour on a broader level
comparing cities with different economical and cultural factors
What is are strengths of the social area?
All studies are relevant to understanding real life social issues
variety of research methods used in investigations
Why is understanding real life social issues an advantage of the social area and what are examples?
Piliavin- real life collapse on train
Levine- Quasi experiment
Can be seen to have high ecological validity and helps explain real life events and change issues
Why is using a variety of research methods in the social area and advantage and what are examples?
Increases validity of findings, field= ecological, lab=construct
Piliavin- used field experiment
Milgram- used controlled observation in lab conditions
What are disadvantages of the social area?
-research is often unethical
-assumes and individuals behaviour is determined by their social situation
Why is research being unethical a disadvantage of the social area and what are examples?
finding can’t be repeated and lack reliability
Piliavin- observed 4450 passengers, no informed consent so no communication
Why is assuming an individuals behaviour is determined by their social situation a disadvantage and what are examples?
individuals are allowed to escape responsibility
Milgram- all 40 participants went to 300V and obeyed unethical commands
