Weaknesses of theories in Social

Question 1

Social Impact Theory (1982) - Weakness

Alternative theory of obedience

Answer 1

Alternative theories can equally explain obedience of individuals such as French and Raven (1959) so the theory is not a complete explanation of obedience because reward power could explain why someone would follow a command from an authority figure to receive incentives and perhaps not due to status, immediacy or
number of social sources.

Question 2

Social Impact Theory (1982) - Weakness

Individual differences in relation to the strength of the source.

Answer 2

The features of individuals are not taken into account, for example some people are not as easily persuaded as others, so status and knowledge of the ‘expert’ does not lead to obedience in everyone.

Question 3

Social Identity Theory - Strength

Supporting evidence of in-group favouritism - Credibility

Answer 3

Evidence from Tajfel (1970) supports that prejudice comes from in-group favouritism.

Question 4

Social Identity Theory - Strength

Application - reducing prejudice

Answer 4

The theory is applicable to society as it can be used to reduce prejudice, such as using common in groups.

Question 5

Social Identity Theory - Weakness

Alternative theory of prejudice

Answer 5

Realistic conflict theory could be an alternative explanation for a person being considered in the out-group by their friends due to competition over scarce resources.

Question 6

Social Identity Theory - Weakness

Objection of social comparison as an explanation of prejudice

Answer 6

However, Sherif et al. (1954/1961) claimed prejudice was a result of inter-group conflict, not social comparison.

Question 7

Social Identity Theory - Weakness

Alternative explanation - personality

Answer 7

Adorno et al. (1950) used an F-scale questionnaire and found authoritarian personalities are more likely to be prejudice
regardless of group belonging.