Social Influence Overview

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to social influence, obedience, conformity, attitudes, prejudice, and ethical considerations in research.

Obedience

A form of social influence where an individual responds to a direct order from an authority figure.

Factors influencing obedience

Proximity to the authority figure, prestige of the authority figure, and deindividuation.

Experimental investigation

A method where an independent variable is manipulated to observe changes in a dependent variable.

Advantages of experimental design

Allows for control over variables and can establish cause-and-effect relationships.

Disadvantages of experimental design

May lack ecological validity and can be affected by demand characteristics.

Conformity

A form of social influence where individuals yield to group pressures.

Normative social influence

Conformity based on the desire to be liked or accepted by the group.

Informational social influence

Conformity based on the desire to be correct or obtain accurate information.

Types of conformity

Compliance, internalisation, and identification.

Observational design

A method of collecting data through observation rather than manipulation of variables.

Social, cultural, and ethical impact

The effects of research practices on minority groups, such as Australian Aboriginal people.

Attitude

A set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviours towards a particular object, person, issue, or event.

Persuasion

The art of convincing others to change their attitudes or behaviours.

Norm of reciprocity

A persuasion strategy where one person does something for another to receive something in return.

Door-in-the-face technique

A persuasion strategy where a large request is followed by a smaller, more reasonable request.

Foot-in-the-door technique

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

Attitude-behaviour link

The relationship indicating how attitudes can influence behaviour and vice versa.

Implicit Association Test (IAT)

A measure of implicit attitudes by analyzing reaction times.

Prejudice

An attitude that involves preconceived judgments about individuals based on their group membership.

Stereotyping

Generalizing characteristics to individuals based on their group membership.

Social stigma

Negative perceptions attached to individuals due to their group identity.

Self-presentation

Manipulating others' perceptions of oneself.

High self-monitors

Individuals who adjust their behavior according to social situations.

Fear as a strategy

Using fear to motivate behavioural change.

Ethical concerns in research

Issues related to wellbeing, consent, privacy rights, and deception in social influence studies.