Social Influence Evaluation

What is a strength of distinguishing between types of conformity (compliance, identification, internalisation)?

It allows for a nuanced understanding of social influence, acknowledging that conformity can vary in depth and permanence.

What is a limitation of the explanations for conformity (ISI and NSI)?

They may oversimplify complex behaviors, as individuals might conform due to a combination of informational and normative influences.

What is a strength of Asch’s conformity experiments?

They provided clear evidence of the power of group pressure on conformity.

What is a limitation of Asch’s studies?

The artificial setting and tasks may limit ecological validity, and the sample lacked diversity, affecting generalizability.

What is a strength of Zimbardo’s study?

It demonstrated the significant impact of social roles and situational factors on behaviour.

What is a limitation of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

Ethical concerns and potential demand characteristics may have influenced participants’ behavior.

What is a strength of Milgram’s obedience study?

It highlighted the extent to which individuals are willing to obey authority figures, even against personal conscience.

What is a limitation of Milgram’s research?

Ethical issues, such as deception and psychological distress, raise concerns about the study’s conduct.

What is a strength of the agentic state explanation?

It accounts for individuals’ behavior under authority, explaining how people can commit acts they might otherwise avoid.

What is a limitation of the legitimacy of authority explanation?

It may not fully explain obedience in all cultural contexts, as perceptions of authority can vary widely.

What is a strength of the authoritarian personality explanation for obedience?

It provides a dispositional perspective, suggesting that certain personality traits predispose individuals to obey authority.

What is a limitation of this explanation?

It may overlook situational factors and doesn’t account for obedience among individuals without authoritarian traits.

What is a strength of social support in resisting conformity?

The presence of an ally can bolster confidence, making individuals more likely to resist group pressure.

What is a limitation of the locus of control explanation?

It may not consistently predict behavior across different situations, as external factors also play a role.

What is a strength of research on minority influence?

Studies like Moscovici’s demonstrate how consistent minorities can effect change in majority opinions.

What is a limitation of minority influence research?

Laboratory settings may not accurately reflect real-world complexities of social change.

What is a strength of the role of social influence in social change?

It explains how societal shifts, such as civil rights movements, can occur through minority influence and conformity.

What is a limitation of this explanation?

It may not fully account for the multifaceted nature of social change, including economic and political factors