social psych for final

Conformity

changing one’s behaviour or beliefs in response to explicit or implicit pressure from others

Compliance

A change in behaviour in response to a direct request from another

Obedience

In a situation of unequal power, submitting too the demands of the authority figure

Informative social influence

We are influenced by others in order to have the correct answer/opinion

Normative social influence

We are influenced by others in order to avoid disapproval and other social sanctions; the goal being to maintain/build relationships

Descriptive norms

Social norms that describe how people behave in a specific situation; adherence is increased when

prescriptive norms

social norms that describe how one ought to act in a specific situation

Minority influence

In order to be successful dissenters must be forceful, persistent, and unwavering, while at the same time appearing to be open minded

Factors that contribute to obedience

Authority figure assumes responsibility, has visible signs of status, commands are gradual, events move at a fast pace

common bond groups

Groups that often involve face to face interaction, in which all members of the group are bonded to each other

Common identity groups

face to face interaction is absent and members are linked together via a broader category

Entitativity

the extent to which a group appears to have a coherent identity

Cohesion

The extent to which group member think and act alike, greater in smaller groups, when members like each other and have similar goals

Groupthink

A way of thinking that occurs when pressure to agree with others leads to inaccurate appraisal of options

Factors that contribute to groupthink

the group is highly cohesive, made up of people of similar backgrounds, and under stress

Group polarization

the tendency for group discussion to strengthen the original opinions of group members and push them to make decisions that are more extreme than they’d initially be inclined to

Persuasive arguments theory

process for group polarization; explains that during a group discussion members will be exposed to more arguments for their position, group members will talk about arguments they all agree with and ignore any counterarguments

Social comparison

Process for group polarization; Individuals develop their view of social reality by examining others. In group discussions individuals will learn that other group members lean in one direction they may adopt a more extreme attitude

Social categorization

Groups may polarize in order to differentiate themselves from other groups

Social roles

Shared expectations for how specific group members should act

Expectations state theory

theory on how status is assigned; states that when a group is formed assumptions are made about how much each group member will contribute to the task

Social exchange theory

theory that interactions are transactional and the goal is always to maximize gain and minimize loss

Dominant response

The response that is most likely to occur when one is not alone; enhances easy behaviours and impairs difficult behaviour

reactance

a motive to protect or restore our sense of freedom; acting nonconforming when others try to force conformity