Psychology - Social influences (L5 - L8)

Antisocial Behaviour Definition

Deliberate, voluntary behaviour that harms, disadvantages, or shows little concern for others; must be intentional.

The G-DACS Model

Groupthink - Diffusion of responsibility - Audience Inhibition - Cost Benefit analysis - Social influence

G-DACS: Groupthink

Individuals avoid disagreeing to maintain group harmony, meaning nobody challenges poor decisions.

G-DACS: Diffusion of Responsibility

When others are present, personal responsibility is shared and reduced; individuals assume someone else will act.

G-DACS: Audience Inhibition

People hesitate to act because they fear embarrassment, judgement, or making a social blunder.

G-DACS: Cost-Benefit Analysis

Weighing advantages of helping (praise) against disadvantages (danger, effort, embarrassment).

G-DACS: Social Influence

People look to others' reactions; if nobody reacts, individuals assume there is no real emergency.

Bystander Effect

The tendency for people to be less likely to help in an emergency when other people are present.

Latané and Darley (1968) Aim

To investigate whether the presence of other people reduces the likelihood that a person will report an emergency.

Latané and Darley (1968) Sample

24 male USA university students recruited via convenience/volunteer sampling.

Latané and Darley (1968) Methodology

Controlled lab experiment where participants thought they were doing a questionnaire while smoke filled the room.

Latané and Darley (1968) Variables

IV: Number of people present. DV: If and how quickly they reported the smoke.

Latané and Darley (1968) Results

75% reported alone, 38% with three naïve participants, and 10% with two passive confederates.

Latané and Darley (1968) Conclusions

Presence of others drastically reduces helping due to DACS factors.

Latané and Darley (1968) Evaluation

High internal validity, but low ecological validity, biased sample, and ethical issues (deception/distress).

Bullying Definition

Repeated, intentional behaviour aimed at harming, intimidating, or distressing another person with a power imbalance.

Key Characteristics of Bullying

Must be intentional, repeated, cause harm/distress, and feature a power imbalance.

Types of Power Imbalance

Physical strength, social status, age, group size, access to technology/intelligence, or legitimate authority.

Types of Bullying

Verbal, Social, Cyber, and Physical.

Effects of Bullying on Victims

Psychological (anxiety, depression), Social (isolation), and Performance (lower achievement, absenteeism).

Effects of Bullying on Bullies

Disciplinary action, damaged relationships, and reduced empathy.

Effects of Bullying on Bystanders

Guilt, anxiety, and feeling unsafe; often fail to act due to G-DACS factors.

Prosocial Behaviour Definition

Voluntary, intentional behaviour intended to benefit another person or society (helping, donating, comforting).

Altruism

Prosocial behaviour where a person helps purely out of genuine concern, without expecting personal reward or benefit.

Reciprocity Principle

The expectation that we should help those who have helped us.

Social Responsibility Norm

The moral belief that we are obligated to help those who depend on us or cannot help themselves.

Empathy in Prosocial Behaviour

The ability to sense and share another's feelings, making us more likely to help if we relate.

Mood and Prosocial Behaviour

People are generally more likely to help when they are in a positive, happy mood.

Competence in Prosocial Behaviour

Having the specific skills, knowledge, or confidence to help effectively (e.g., first aid training).