social influence content

What is compliance?

Publicly agreeing with the group while privately disagreeing; shallow and temporary; caused by normative social influence.

What is identification?

Conforming because you value the group and want to belong; public and private change, but only while in the group.

What is internalisation?

Deep, permanent change in beliefs; public and private acceptance; caused by informational social influence.

What is normative social influence (NSI)?

Conforming to be liked or accepted; leads to compliance.

What is informational social influence (ISI)?

Conforming because others are seen as more knowledgeable; leads to internalisation.

What are social roles?

Expected behaviours for people in certain positions (e.g., guard, teacher); people adopt roles quickly when expectations are clear.

What is obedience?

Following a direct order from an authority figure; involves hierarchy.

What is the agentic state?

Acting on behalf of an authority figure and feeling no personal responsibility.

What is the autonomous state?

Acting independently and taking responsibility for your actions.

What is the agentic shift?

Switching from autonomous to agentic when faced with legitimate authority.

What is legitimacy of authority?

The belief that certain people have recognised power in a social hierarchy, making obedience more likely.

How does proximity affect obedience?

Closer proximity to the victim or authority reduces obedience.

How does location affect obedience?

More prestigious locations increase obedience.

How does uniform affect obedience?

Uniform signals authority and increases obedience.

What is the authoritarian personality?

A personality type characterised by obedience, respect for authority, rigid beliefs, and hostility to minorities.

How does social support reduce conformity?

An ally breaks unanimity and increases confidence to resist.

How does social support reduce obedience?

Seeing others disobey provides a model for resistance.

What is locus of control (LOC)?

A belief about control over life events.

Internal LOC = more resistance.

External LOC = less resistance.

What is minority influence?

When a small group influences the majority; leads to internalisation.

Why is consistency important in minority influence?

It increases credibility and shows confidence.

Why is commitment important in minority influence?

Personal sacrifice shows dedication and attracts attention (augmentation principle).

Why is flexibility important in minority influence?

Being cooperative rather than rigid makes the minority more persuasive.

What is social change?

When society adopts new beliefs or behaviours (e.g., recycling, equal rights).

What is the snowball effect?

Minority influence starts small but grows until it becomes the majority view.

What is social cryptoamnesia?

People remember the change but forget how it happened.

What are social norms interventions?

Campaigns that correct misperceptions of group behaviour (e.g., “Most students drink less than you think”).