topic 5

Question 1

what are social norms?

Answer 1

unspoken rules in society

Question 2

why did Sherif suggest norms develop?

Answer 2

to guide behaviour in conditions of uncertainty

Question 3

how did Sherif investigate social norms?

Answer 3

autokinetic effect with light
point of light appears to move
over time, people guessed closer to other people’s answers

Question 4

how does Asch define conformity?

Answer 4

rational process- people construct norms from other’s behaviour to determine appropriate behaviour

Question 5

what were the results in Asch’ study of conformity?

Answer 5

average conformity was 33%
when they could answer anonymously, conformity reduced to 12.5%

Question 6

which situations does informational social influence occur in?

Answer 6

ambiguous/uncertain situations

Question 7

which type of social influence is a true cognitive change?

Answer 7

informational

Question 8

how does Sherif’s study demonstrate informational social influence?

Answer 8

answer about the light was ambiguous, so people used other’s answers to judge what was correct

Question 9

how does a majority influence exert social influence?

Answer 9

via social comparison

Question 10

how does a minority exert social influence?

Answer 10

indirect, private change in opinion
conversion effect as a consequence of active consideration of the minority view

Question 11

how does commitment to the cause affect obedience to authority?

Answer 11

gradual change and commitment

Question 12

when did proximity decrease obedience?

Answer 12

when instructions were given over the phone