Theory Evaluations

Question 1

Weakness of agency theory

Answer 1

French and Raven says there has to be legitimate power in a situation
35% of participants disobeyed without any explanation as to why

Question 2

Strengths of social impact theory

Answer 2

Can helps predict behaviours of crowd control
Can explain every day things such as bullying
We are passive receivers of informations

Question 3

Weaknesses of social impact theory

Answer 3

Milgrams agency theory states that some individuals are autonomous and wouldn’t obey
Ignores individual differences
Cannot predict what will happen when groups are equal
Doesn’t include situational factors such as why strength affects us

Question 4

Strengths of social identity theory

Answer 4

Tajfel said study shows that discrimination arises when people are categorised
Sherif shows that boys became hostile before competition was introduced
VERKOOIJEN asked subcultures about drugs - hippies most likely to use SOCIAL NORMS

Question 5

Weaknesses of social identity theory

Answer 5

RCT states you need competition in order to have conflict
Dobbs and Crano say in group is more complex than thought
Individual differences can’t be explained

Question 6

Strengths of RCT

Answer 6

Reduce prejudice through superordinate goals
Sherif shows that competition is a factor leading to discrimination
Ember and embers observed tribes which increase hostility towards other tribes for resources
Helps explain real life eg Rwanda

Question 7

Weaknesses of RCT

Answer 7

Only correlative evidence

Sherif Boys were hostile before competitive factor was introduced

Question 8

Strengths of agency theory

Answer 8

Milgrams experiment showed 65% of people obeyed a member of authority
Helps to explain cases such as WW2 and moral strain
Hofling found 95% of nurses obeyed orders to give an overdose to patients