Chp 6 Conformity stuff

Informational social influence

change in opinions or behavior that occurs when we conform to people who we believe have accurate information

private acceptance

real change of opinions

normative social influence

when we express opinions or behave in ways that help us to be accepted or that keep us from being isolated or rejected by others

public compliance

superficial change in behavior (including the public expression of opinions) that is not accompanied by an actual change in one’s private opinion.

majority influence

when the beliefs held by the larger number of individuals in the current social group prevail

minority influence

the beliefs held by the smaller number of individuals in the current social group prevail

social impact

The increase in the amount of conformity that is produced by adding new members to the majority group

why is unanimity important for conformity?

because it creates more pressure (social influence) on the minority group

EX wearing jeans to a wedding…

social power

the ability of a person to create conformity even when the people being influenced may attempt to resist those changes

what’s the diff between conformity & obedience

conformity is implicit, obedience is explicit

What qualities decrease obedience?

social intelligence, moral reasoning…if the experimenter was in a different room

What qualities increase obedience?

authoritarian personality, women (socialized to confirm), agreeable people, conscientiousness

reward power

when one person is able to influence others by providing them with positive outcomes.

EX ability to distribute positive or negative rewards

coercive power

ability to create negative outcomes for others, for instance by bullying, intimidating, or otherwise punishing

EX ability to punish

legitimate power

Power vested in those who are appointed or elected to positions of authority

referent power

ability to influence others because they can lead those others to identify with them

expert power

Power that comes from others’ beliefs that the power-holder possesses superior skills and abilities

leadership

ability to direct or inspire others to achieve goals

Personality theories of leadership

explanations of leadership based on the idea that some people are simply “natural leaders” because they possess personality characteristics that make them effective

charismatic leaders

leaders who are enthusiastic, committed, and self-confident; who tend to talk about the importance of group goals at a broad level; and who make personal sacrifices for the group.

transactional leaders

regular leaders who work with their subordinates to help them understand what is required of them and to get the job done

transformational leaders

have a vision of where the group is going and attempt to stimulate and inspire their workers to move beyond their present status and to create a new and better future.

contingency model def?

model focus @ person variables and situational variables

contingency model of leadership effectiveness important things

1. good leader-member relations

2. clear task structure

3. leader’s level of power (position power)

predicts task-oriented leaders will be most effective either when there is no need to be concerned about the group members’ feelings

or when the group climate is very unfavorable and the task-oriented leader needs to take control.

what increases conformity?

younger/older people (relative to 40-50 yr olds), women, low-self esteem, don’t know a lot about the topic, collectivist culture