Unit 2 Flashcards
What is meant by obedience?
A type of social influence whereby somebody acts in a response to a direct order from a figure with perceived authority. There is also the implication that the person receiving the order is made to respond in a way that they would not otherwise they have done without the order.
What is social influence?
How we are influenced by others either by a group (majority) or an individual (minority or obedience) to change our behaviour thinking and/or attitudes.
What is conformity?
A form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position an leads to compliance with that position. People adopt the behaviour attitudes and values of other members of a reference group and change their behaviour.
What is minority influence?
A form of social influence where people reject the established norm of the majority group members and move to the position of the minority.
Describe the type of conformity Compliance.
Individual changes behaviour to fit in with the group.
Agree publicly but not privately.
Not permanent - only lasts for as long as group present.
Describe the type of conformity Identification.
Conforms publicly and privately because they feel as though they have identified with the group.
Change of belief or behaviour is often temporary.
Has elements of compliance and internalisation.
Describe the type of conformity Internalisation.
Belief becomes part of individuals own belief system.
Permanent - lasts after majority group gone.
Individual changes public and private views.
Name the 5 variations of Milgram’s study.
Presence of Allies Credibility of Authority Proximity of the victim Increasing the teachers discretion Proximity of the authority figure Males and females
What is a collectivist culture?
Social behaviour is determined largely by goals shared with the collective.
What is a individualist culture?
Peoples behaviour is determined primarily by personal goals that may or may not overlap the goals of their ‘collective’. For example their friends, family, and work.
List the 4 factors that can lead to people resisting the pressures to conform.
The role of allies
Group size
Moral considerations
Reactance/personality
Name the 4 explanations of obedience.
Gradual Commitment
Justifying Obedience
Agentic Shift
Role of Buffers
List 3 factors that can lead to people resisting pressures to obey.
Milgram’s study:
Harm being done to the victim is made clearer, and reduce the perceived authority of the person issuing the orders.
Moral Considerations
Social Heroism
Allen and Levine
Validity of social support
3 conditions in a Asch style task.
1. supporter had bad visions, wore glasses (invalid support)
2. the supporter had normal vision (valid)
Both reduced conformity but valid supporter had much more impact so valid social support more effective.
Hornsey et al.
Moral considerations
Found remarkably little movement towards the majority on attitudes that had moral significance for the individual (e.g. cheating) even when this involved public (rather than just private) behaviours.
