Theories

Question 1

What is milgrams agency theory?

Answer 1

• the idea that when we are faced with commands from an authority figure we lose our sense of responsibility for our actions
• we may shift from and autonomous state to an agentic state because of socialisation

Question 2

Evaluation of milgrams agency theory

Answer 2

• E : burgers study confirmed the obedience levels milgram also found
• A : it explains the behaviour of the nazis in the holocaust
• S : credible due to scientific evidence (milgram and burger)
• S : it fails to explain why some don’t obey
• T : social impact theory

Question 3

What is the social impact theory?

Answer 3

• it looks at the functioning of individuals in the presence of others. It’s about how we are affected by our social environment
• its about the changing of ones behaviour due to others

Question 4

Evaluation of social impact theory

Answer 4

• E : Latane found when groups were small people were more likely to obey
• A : the influence those on social media
• S : predictions can be made using i = f(sin)
• S : it is a static theory- doesn’t take reciprocal effects into account
• A : agency theory and charasmatic leader theory

Question 5

What is the social identity theory?

Answer 5

• suggests that a person has several selves linking with group membership. We identify ourself with a group and then view others as inside or outside the group

Question 6

Evaluation of social identity theory

Answer 6

• E = tajfel found that there is in-group favouritism and people will promote their in-group
• A = can explain why we stick to others like ourselves
• S = explains psychological processes that underlie group formation
• S = doesn’t explain individual differences in prejudice
• T = realistic conflict theory

Question 7

What is the realistic conflict theory?

Answer 7

• the idea that prejudice occurs when there is competition for scarce resources between groups to cause conflict - this leads to conflict, negative stereotypes and discrimination between the groups

Question 8

Evaluation of the realistic conflict theory

Answer 8

• E = sherifs robbers cave experiment found that competition caused prejudice
• A = explicitly shows how conflict can be reduced - cooperation due to superoordinate goals
• S = ability to predict prejudice and discrimination in the real world
• S = doesn’t explain how changing social norms can affect prejudice
• T = social identity theory