SOCIAL INFLUENCE

What is conformity?

A change in a person's behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group.

What was Asch's baseline procedure in his conformity study?

123 American men were tested; they saw two large cards and had to say which comparison line matched line X, with confederates giving incorrect answers.

What were the key findings of Asch's baseline study?

Genuine participants agreed with confederates 36.8% of the time; 25% never gave a wrong answer.

What three variables were investigated by Asch regarding conformity?

Task difficulty, unanimity, and group size.

How did increased task difficulty affect conformity in Asch's variations?

As difficulty increased, conformity also increased, indicating informational social influence.

What effect did the introduction of a non-conforming confederate have on conformity rates?

Unanimity decreased led to decreased conformity.

What did Asch find regarding the relationship between group size and conformity?

Conformity increased with group size but only up to a certain point; it leveled off with more than three confederates.

What is the definition of internalisation in conformity?

When a person genuinely accepts the group norms, with a private and public change in opinions/behaviour.

What does compliance mean in the context of conformity?

Going along with others in public while privately not changing one's opinions or behaviour.

What is informational social influence (ISI)?

The need to be right, leading to a permanent change in opinion or behaviour, especially in ambiguous or crisis situations.

What does normative social influence (NSI) entail?

The need to be liked, leading to a temporary change in opinions or behaviour, particularly in social situations.

What is social support in the context of resisting social influence?

The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same.

What is an authoritarian personality?

A type of personality that is especially susceptible to obeying people in authority, often submissive to those of higher status.

What did Milgram's study demonstrate about obedience?

That a significant number of ordinary people will obey authority figures even when asked to do something that may harm others.

What was the impact of proximity on obedience in Milgram's variations?

Obedience rates dropped when the teacher and learner were in the same room and further decreased with touch proximity.

How does consistency contribute to minority influence?

Consistency in beliefs, both over time and among individuals, is most effective in promoting minority influence.

What is the snowball effect in minority influence?

As more people consider the minority viewpoint, change increases and the minority perspective gains acceptance.

What role does deeper processing play in minority influence?

Deeper processing leads to a conversion from majority to minority viewpoints after an individual thinks more deeply about the issue.

What is social change and how is it related to minority influence?

Social change occurs when whole societies adopt new attitudes, beliefs, and practices, often initiated by minority influence.

What are barriers to social change as suggested by research?

Negative stereotypes can hinder individuals from associating with minority groups advocating for change.