topic 5 - terms used in social influence research

Question 1

what does the term ‘obedience’ mean?

Answer 1

this refers to complying to the order of an authority figure.

Question 2

what does the term ‘authority figure’ mean? what are examples?

Answer 2

this is a someone with more control due to power they get from their position than another.

examples:
- teachers
- doctors
- parents etc

Question 3

what does the term ‘conformity’ mean?

Answer 3

this means matching the behaviour and beliefs of others in order to fit in or because we do not know how to behave in a certain situation.

Question 4

what are the three types of conformity?

Answer 4

compliance, internalisation, identification

Question 5

what does the term ‘compliance’ mean?

Answer 5

this refers to going along with majority of people although privately we do not agree with them.

Question 6

what does the term ‘internalisation’ mean?

Answer 6

this refers when we are placed in a situation where we don’t know how to behave so we observe the behaviour of others and copy them, as we are unaware of how to act ourselves.

Question 7

what does the term ‘identification’ mean?

Answer 7

this refers to a person changing their behaviour while in the company of a group but it lasts as long as the person is in company with that group. It is a temporary change in behaviour and beliefs due to group membership.

Question 8

what are the two types of social influence?

Answer 8

normative and informational social influence.

Question 9

what does the term ‘normative social influence’ mean?

Answer 9

compliance because of the need to fit in a group, following societal norms because we want to be accepted not rejected.

Question 10

what does the term ‘informational social influence’ mean?

Answer 10

conformity because we do not know how to behave. Others provide information on how to behave so we adopt their beliefs and behaviours.

Question 11

what does the term ‘deindividuation’ mean?

Answer 11

this refers to a loss in personal identity as a result of being a part of a large crowd or group. There is a loss of individual identity as we blend into a group and become anonymous. Therefore, we do not stand out in a crow so as a result we tend to act differently and feel less responsible for our actions.

Question 12

what does the term ‘bystander effect’ mean?

Answer 12

this refers to peoples reluctance to help a person in need because they believe others will help instead. We will also look to how others behave so if no one else is helping, we will not help either.