Obedience- Social impact theory (Latané)

What is a source

Person being the influencer (authority figure)

What is a target

Person being impacted on

What is a social force

When source is affecting the target, the impact that the source will have is influenced by things

What influences the strength the source has on the target?

Strength- perceived power

Immediacy- Closeness of source to target (space/time) physical or psychological

Number- number of sources and targets

(SIN)

When will authority figure be more likely to ensure obedience?

Multiplication, SIN can have multiplicative effect on targets but only up to a certain point.

Latane said once a group is bigger than 3, each additional person has less of an influence.

What is division of impact

Number of targets to be influenced affects the impact of the source

EVALUATION OF SOCIAL IMPACT THEORY

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Evidence

🙂- obedience and disobedience effect of multiplication effect of social forces or division of impact. Budget found when 2 confederates used % of people that continue after 150V goes down from 70 to 63%.

Milgram found % of fully obedient people was 22.5% from %65

CA- theory could be based on research which lacks ecological validity

Hofling nurses, was over phone, suggests immediacy not much influence

CA- Strength of source (doctor) very great which provides validity for theory

Strengths and shortcomings

Individual differences- ignores them. People with internal locus of control may less likely to obey and less affected by strength of source.

CA- Does consider individual differences in perception of strength- depends on upbringing of people and how they perceive authority.

Nature nurture-does not take into account role of nature and nurture so may not be as valid as agency.

Reductionist- simplifies complex behaviour to 3 factors in a formula means it is less scientific

Alternative

Agency theory. Best theory to apply depends on situation.