Questions and Answers
What is normative social influence?
Conforming because we want to be liked and want to fit into a group.
Provide examples of normative social influence.
Friendship group type things, smoking/drug taking, types of music and dress sense.
Describe the Zimbardo study.
He created a realistic situation of guards and prisoners and the guards began to become very aggressive and abusive especially at night.
What were the results of Zimbardo?
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What are the strengths of Zimbardo?
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What are the weaknesses of Zimbardo?
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Describe the Nolan et al. study.
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What were the results of Nolan et al.?
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What are the strengths of Nolan?
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What are the weaknesses of Nolan?
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Study Notes
Normative Social Influence
- Normative social influence involves conforming to fit in and be liked by a group.
- It can manifest in various social behaviors such as dress sense, music preferences, and substance use.
Zimbardo Study
- Zimbardo conducted an experiment simulating a prison environment with participants assigned as guards and prisoners.
- The guards exhibited aggressive and abusive behavior, particularly during nighttime hours.
Results of Zimbardo
- Prisoners conformed to avoid punishment, knowing rebellion would lead to collective repercussions.
- Guards felt pressure to perform cruelty to fit in, fearing rejection if they did not conform to group behavior.
Strengths of Zimbardo
- The study provided a realistic and detailed observation of participants' behavior.
- Constant video surveillance allowed for comprehensive documentation of interactions.
Weaknesses of Zimbardo
- Lacked ecological validity, as the artificial setting may not reflect real-life situations.
- Ethical guidelines were breached, raising concerns about participant welfare.
Nolan et al. Study
- Examined the environmentally friendly behaviors of 810 Californians through field experiments and questionnaires.
- Participants claimed they were not influenced by peer actions.
Results of Nolan et al.
- Findings contradicted participants' beliefs; they were significantly affected by the behaviors of others around them.
Strengths of Nolan
- Large sample size enhances generalizability of results.
- High ecological validity due to the study's focus on real-life situations and behaviors.
Weaknesses of Nolan
- Limited generalizability due to the study being concentrated in a specific geographic area.
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Description
Explore the concept of normative social influence through a series of flashcards. This quiz covers definitions, examples, and notable studies like the Zimbardo experiment. Test your understanding of how social conformity shapes behavior in group settings.