AO3 Social Influence Studies

What did Jenness (1932) find?

PPTs second estimates (to amount of jellybeans in jar) converged closer to the group’s estimate upon discussion.

Women more than Men

Suggests ISI → ambiguous task, their input was internalised, answer given away from group pressure (privately)

What did Spector (1983) find?

University student PPTs with an Internal LOC = less likely to conform in situations involving NSI than externals.

Supports LOC as explanation of resistance to SI and conformity.

What did Holland find?

PPTs with Internal LOC were more likely to be disobedient and refuse to give the full shock range up to 450v (37%) compared to Externals (23%)

Disobedience rate for up to 450v = 37% vs 23%

Shows internal LOC is more resistant to pressure to obey. Supports LOC as explanation of resistance to SI

What did Elms and Milgram (1966) find?

Fully obedient PPTs (gave full range of shocks, including 450V) scored Higher on F Scale (more authoritarian personality) than defiant PPTs

Stated admiration for experimenter → authority figure

Reported distant relationship with Father

Support link between authoritarian personality and obedience, Adorno’s theory

What did Hofling et al, (1966) find?

21/22 nurses prepared to give potentially lethal dose of drug to patient due to orders from Dr (via telephone)

Supports legitimacy of authority → obedience to authority figure (social hierarchy) with ascribed power to command despite risk to patient.

What did Bickman, (1974) find?

Individuals are twice as likely to obey a Security guard (38% obedience) compared to Milkman (14%) or civilian (19%).

Supports uniform as situational variable → conveys legitimacy of authority

Supports legitimacy of authority as explanation of obedience (social hierarchy and ascribed power to command associated w/ costume and social role)

What did Orne and Holland suggest about Milgram’s study?

Lacking internal validity

PPTs knew shocks weren’t real, they were play acting

Not testing DV (obedience to authority) as expected.

Results are invalid, unreliable

(Counterpoint - 3 seizures, distress, moral strain)

What did Perrin and Spencer find?

What did Deutsch and Gerard propose?

Either NSI or ISI

How did Mandel (1998) criticise explanation of obedience e.g Agentic state?

Obedience alibi

Excuse for behaviour