Exam #2 Vocab Terms

Conformity, obedience, and persuasion (terms taken from Ch 6-7 in the David Myers social psych textbook)

Conformity

A change in a behavior/belief as the result of group pressure

Acceptance

Acting and believing in accord with social pressure

Compliance

Acting with the group but privately disagreeing

Obedience

Acting in accord with a direct order

Autokinetic Phenomenon

Optical illusion of a moving light in the dark

Mass Hysteria

Mimicry on a larger scale

Normative Influence

Conformity based on a person’s desire to fulfill other’s expectations

Informational Influence

Conformity occurring when people accept evidence about reality provided by others

Reactance

A motive to protect one’s sense of freedom

Persuasion

The process by which a message induces change in beliefs or behaviors

Central Route

Focuses on the arguments of the message

Peripheral Route

Influences people through incidental cues

Primacy Effect

Information given earlier tends to be more persuasive

Recency Effect

Information given last tends to be more persuasive