Psychology: Milgram, Conformity, Group Dynamics, Self-Concept, and Motivation

What was the main question of the Milgram experiment?

How much punishment is good for learning?

What was the highest voltage administered by subjects in the Milgram experiment?

450 volts

What percentage of subjects in the Milgram experiment went up to the highest voltage?

50%

What was the effect of the proximity of the victim on obedience in the Milgram experiment?

Obedience was reduced when the victim was more immediate.

What is the difference between descriptive norms and injunctive norms?

Descriptive norms refer to what people usually do, while injunctive norms indicate what you should or shouldn't do.

What phenomenon did Sherif's study demonstrate regarding group norms?

The autokinetic effect, where individuals agreed on a group norm after discussing their perceptions.

What is conformity?

The tendency to change perceptions, opinions, or behaviors to be consistent with group norms.

What did the Asch experiment reveal about conformity?

About 70% of subjects conformed to incorrect answers given by confederates.

What is the difference between normative and informational influence?

Normative influence is the desire to conform to be liked, while informational influence is the belief that others are correct.

What is minority influence?

The influence exerted by a smaller group that can lead to changes in the majority's opinion.

What is the social impact theory proposed by Latane?

Social forces are similar to physical forces, characterized by strength, immediacy, and number of people.

What is compliance in social psychology?

A change in behavior as a result of a direct request.

What is the foot-in-the-door technique?

A compliance strategy where a small request is followed by a larger request.

What is the door-in-the-face technique?

A compliance strategy where a large request is followed by a smaller request.

What was a key finding from Burger's (2009) replication of the Milgram experiment?

He found that 65% of participants still showed full obedience.

What are the stages of group development according to Tuckman?

Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning.

What happens during the 'storming' stage of group development?

Individuals try to influence the group, which can lead to hostility.

What is the 'That's not all!' technique in compliance?

An offer is made, then improved before the decision is made.

What effect does group unanimity have on conformity?

Conformity increases when the rest of the group is unanimous.

What was the effect of having an ordinary person in charge during the Milgram experiment?

Obedience dropped to under 25%.

What is norming in group dynamics?

Establishing group norms.

What does cohesiveness refer to in a group?

The factors that hold the group together.

What is the difference between interpersonal and task cohesiveness?

Interpersonal refers to liking the people in the group, while task refers to liking the task itself.

What is social facilitation?

The phenomenon where the presence of others enhances performance on easy tasks and hinders performance on difficult tasks.

What is Zajonc's theory on arousal and dominant response?

Arousal enhances the dominant response, which can lead to better performance on simple tasks and worse on complex tasks.

What is social loafing?

The tendency for individuals to reduce their effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

What is coordination loss in social loafing?

The reduction in individual output due to lack of synchronization in group tasks.

What conditions can reduce social loafing?

Assigning different jobs per person, smaller group sizes, and promoting accountability.

What is deindividuation?

The loss of self-awareness and individual accountability in groups, often leading to deviant behavior.

What is group polarization?

The tendency for group discussions to strengthen initial opinions, leading to more extreme positions.

What is groupthink?

A phenomenon where the desire for harmony in a group results in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making.

What is an additive task in group performance?

A task where individual contributions are summed, and the group typically performs better.

What is a conjunctive task?

A task where the group's performance is determined by the weakest member.

What is a disjunctive task?

A task where the group's performance is determined by the strongest member.

What is in-group favoritism?

The tendency to favor one's own group over others, even in minimal group settings.

What was the Robber's Cave experiment?

A study by Sherif where two groups of boys developed hostility, which was reduced by introducing a common goal.

What is self-concept?

The beliefs and perceptions individuals have about themselves.

What does the rouge test measure?

Self-recognition in children and animals by placing a mark on their forehead and observing their reaction to a mirror.

At what age do children typically begin to recognize themselves in a mirror?

Around 18 months.

Which animals have shown evidence of self-recognition in mirror tests?

Great apes and elephants.

What is the concept of bodily self?

The understanding of one's own body and its image.

How do elephants respond to mirror tests?

They can recognize themselves and touch the mark placed on their forehead.

What is the mark test used for in animals?

To determine self-awareness, as seen in elephants and roosters recognizing themselves.

What are self-schemas?

Networks of associations about ourselves that influence how we perceive our traits and behaviors.

What is the facial feedback hypothesis?

The theory that imitating facial expressions can influence emotional experiences.

What is the purpose of laugh therapy?

To release muscle tension, improve heart rate, and enhance blood flow, often used in military family support.

What does Schachter's two-factor theory of emotion propose?

That both physiological arousal and a cognitive label for that arousal are necessary to experience an emotion.

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Intrinsic motivation is driven by internal rewards, while extrinsic motivation is driven by external rewards.

What is the overjustification effect?

The phenomenon where intrinsic motivation decreases when an external reward is given for a behavior.

What factors contribute to self-esteem according to Crocker?

Academics, appearance, being a good person, approval, God, competition, and family support.

What is the difference between trait self-esteem and state self-esteem?

Trait self-esteem is stable over time, while state self-esteem fluctuates in response to daily events.

What is self-enhancement?

The desire to be seen more favorably than one actually sees oneself.

What is self-verification?

The desire to be seen as one truly sees oneself.

What are self-serving cognitions?

Beliefs that allow individuals to take credit for successes while distancing themselves from failures.

What is self-hadicapping?

The act of sabotaging one's own performance to provide an excuse for anticipated failure.

What is BIRG?

Basking in Reflected Glory, associating with successful groups to enhance self-image.

What does CORF stand for?

Cutting Off Reflected Failure, distancing oneself from unsuccessful groups.

What is downward social comparison?

Comparing oneself to others who are worse off to enhance self-esteem.

What was the marshmallow test designed to measure?

Self-control in children, with older kids typically showing better self-control.

What did Baumeister's cookie experiment reveal about self-control?

That self-control can be temporarily depleted, affecting subsequent task performance.

Ambiguity, collectivism, and unanimity

increase conformity

Moscovici minority influence

better for private acceptance than public conformity

reciprocity norm

a favor before asking for a favor

Lewin - Quasi-stationary equilibrium

Group norm all held in place - balance

Tajfel

Middle school boys in two groups - show group favoritism