AQA A-Level Psychology: Social Influence & Psychopathology

Compliance

Superficial agreement with a group to fit in temporarily.

Identification

Adopting group behavior because of a desire to belong, semi-permanent.

Internalisation

Deep conformity, where beliefs are genuinely accepted, permanent.

Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Conformity due to a desire to fit in and avoid rejection.

Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Conformity due to a desire to be right, especially in ambiguous situations.

Asch’s Experiment

A study where 75% of participants conformed at least once by giving incorrect answers.

Group Size

Conformity increases with group size up to 3 confederates, then levels off.

Unanimity

A single dissenter reduces conformity to 25%.

Stanford Prison Experiment

A study showing participants conformed to social roles of guards and prisoners.

Milgram's Obedience Study

An experiment where 65% of participants obeyed up to 450V, despite showing distress.

Agentic State

Obedience occurs because individuals see themselves as an agent of authority.

Authoritarian Personality

A personality type associated with higher obedience, measured using the F-scale.

Social Support

Presence of allies reduces conformity and obedience.

Minority Influence

A consistent and committed minority can influence the majority.

Statistical Infrequency

Behavior that is rare or uncommon in the population.

Deviation from Social Norms

Behavior that goes against societal expectations.

Failure to Function Adequately

Struggling with daily life as per Rosenhan & Seligman's criteria.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A therapeutic approach that identifies and challenges irrational beliefs.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Medications that increase serotonin availability, used in treating OCD.