Chapter 8: Social Influence

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to social influence discussed in Chapter 8.

Conformity

Going along with others’ beliefs or behaviors.

Compliance

Willingly doing what another requests you to do.

Obedience

Submitting to the demand of another, willingly or unwillingly.

Simple Conformity

Mimicking or mirroring another person’s behavior.

Mimicry

The act of imitating another's behavior, such as foot shaking or cradling chin.

Norm Formation

A norm is a behavior or way of thinking that emerges in a social group.

Prescriptive Norms

Behaviors and thoughts that are considered 'ought to' by a group.

Descriptive Norms

Behaviors and thoughts that describe what the group typically does.

Autokinetic Effect

The perceived movement of a stationary point of light in a dark room.

Sherif's Studies

Studies demonstrating how group norms can form through the autokinetic effect.

Resistance to Change

The phenomenon where established norms resist new influences and changes.

Generational Change

A shift in norms that can occur over several group replacements.

Informational Influence

The influence of others leading to private acceptance and the desire to be correct.

Normative Influence

The influence of others leading to compliance in order to be liked or accepted.

Tight Cultures

Cultures with strict norms and rules.

Loose Cultures

Cultures that allow deviations and have weaker social norms.

Milgram Obedience Studies

Experiments that measured obedience levels in response to authoritative commands.

Deindividuation

Loss of individuality leading to conformity to group norms.

Diffusion of Responsibility

A reduction in personal accountability when others are present.

Burger's Replication

A modern replication of Milgram's study with ethical safeguards.

Take-Home Message

People are generally conformists influenced by social norms rather than inherently malicious.

Psychological Reactance

The pushback against perceived threats to personal freedom or choice.

Asch's Study

Experiment illustrating the power of conformity through incorrect line judgment.

Conformity Score

A measurement of the percent of trials that led participants to conform.

Consensus

Agreement among group members which can influence individual choices.

Dissent

The expression of opinions that differ from the group norm.

Cultural Influences

The impact that a culture's orientation (interdependent/ independent) has on compliance.

Authority Figures

Individuals in power whose commands influence behavior significantly.

Social Support

The assistance one feels from others that can affect conformity rates.

Experimenter Effect

The influence of the experimenter on the subjects' behavior.

Peer Influence

The effect that peers can have on an individual's conformity and obedience.