1.1 SOCIAL INFLUENCE

What is social influence?

Social influence is the effect that other people have on an individual’s beliefs, attitudes, or behaviours.

What is conformity?

Conformity is a type of social influence where a person changes their behaviour or beliefs to fit in with a group.

What is compliance?

Compliance is a type of conformity where an individual publicly changes their behaviour to fit in, but privately disagrees.

What is internalisation?

Internalisation is a type of conformity where an individual genuinely accepts the group’s beliefs, both publicly and privately.

What is normative social influence (NSI)?

Normative social influence is conformity based on a desire to be accepted and avoid rejection.

When is normative social influence most likely to occur?

When individuals value group membership or fear social rejection.

What is informational social influence (ISI)?

Informational social influence is conformity based on a desire to be correct by accepting information from others.

When is informational social influence most likely to occur?

In ambiguous situations, crises, or when a person lacks knowledge.

Which type of conformity is linked to NSI?

Compliance.

Which type of conformity is linked to ISI?

Internalisation.

Who investigated variables affecting conformity?

Solomon Asch.

What was the aim of Asch’s conformity experiments?

To investigate the extent to which social pressure from a majority group affects conformity.

What was the basic procedure of Asch’s study?

Participants judged line lengths in groups where confederates deliberately gave wrong answers.

What did Asch find about conformity?

Participants conformed to the incorrect majority in about one-third of critical trials.

How does group size affect conformity according to Asch?

Conformity increases with group size up to about 3 people, after which it levels off.

Why does group size affect conformity?

Larger groups increase normative pressure and the desire to fit in.

How does unanimity affect conformity?

Conformity decreases when the majority is no longer unanimous.

Why does unanimity reduce conformity when broken?

It reduces normative pressure and increases confidence in one’s own judgement.

How does task difficulty affect conformity?

Conformity increases as tasks become more difficult.

Why does task difficulty increase conformity?

People rely more on others for information, increasing informational social influence.

What is obedience?

Obedience is a form of social influence where an individual follows a direct order from someone in authority.

What is the agentic state?

A mental state where individuals see themselves as agents executing the wishes of an authority figure.

What is agentic shift?

The transition from autonomous behaviour to agentic state.

How does the agentic state explain obedience?

People feel less responsible for their actions, making obedience more likely.

What is legitimacy of authority?

The perception that an authority figure has the right to give orders.

Why does legitimacy of authority increase obedience?

People accept social hierarchies and feel obliged to obey legitimate authority figures.

Who investigated obedience to authority?

Stanley Milgram.

What was the aim of Milgram’s obedience study?

To investigate how far people would go in obeying authority figures.

What was the basic procedure of Milgram’s study?

Participants were instructed to give electric shocks to a learner for incorrect answers.

What was Milgram’s key finding?

65\% of participants delivered the maximum shock level.

How does proximity affect obedience?

Obedience decreases when the authority figure is further away.

Why does proximity affect obedience?

Reduced pressure and increased ability to resist authority.

How does location affect obedience?

Obedience decreases when the study takes place in less prestigious settings.

Why does location influence obedience?

Prestigious institutions increase perceived legitimacy of authority.

How does uniform affect obedience?

Obedience decreases when the authority figure does not wear a uniform.

Why does uniform increase obedience?

Uniform is a visible symbol of authority and legitimacy.

What is the Authoritarian Personality?

A dispositional explanation suggesting some people have rigid beliefs and respect authority.

What characteristics define the authoritarian personality?

Submission to authority, hostility to out-groups, and strict adherence to social rules.

How does the authoritarian personality explain obedience?

Such individuals are more likely to obey authority figures unquestioningly.

What is resistance to social influence?

The ability to withstand pressures to conform or obey.

What is social support?

The presence of others who resist conformity or obedience.

How does social support reduce conformity?

It breaks unanimity and increases confidence in personal judgement.

How does social support reduce obedience?

Seeing others disobey provides a model for resistance.

What is locus of control?

The extent to which individuals believe they control events in their lives.

What is internal locus of control?

Belief that outcomes are determined by one’s own actions.

What is external locus of control?

Belief that outcomes are determined by luck or external forces.

How does locus of control affect resistance to social influence?

People with an internal locus of control are more likely to resist pressure.

What is minority influence?

A form of social influence where a smaller group influences the majority.

How does minority influence differ from conformity?

It leads to internalisation and long-term attitude change.

What is consistency in minority influence?

The minority repeatedly expresses the same message over time.

Why is consistency important in minority influence?

It makes the minority appear confident and credible.

What is commitment in minority influence?

Demonstrating dedication to the cause, often through personal sacrifice.

Why does commitment increase minority influence?

It shows certainty and encourages deeper processing by the majority.

What is flexibility in minority influence?

The ability to compromise and adapt views.

Why is flexibility important in minority influence?

It prevents the minority from appearing rigid or dogmatic.