Psychology Chapter on Social Influence

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Questions and Answers

What is normative social influence and how does it affect individual behavior?

Normative social influence is when individuals conform to be liked or accepted by a group, often leading them to change their behavior, such as starting to smoke to fit in.

How does normative social influence relate to the phenomenon of bullying among peers?

Normative social influence can encourage bullying as individuals may comply with a bully to maintain group approval, leading them to victimise others to avoid disapproval.

What evidence did Lucas et al. provide regarding informational social influence in decision-making?

Lucas et al. found that conformity to incorrect answers in math increased when questions were difficult and individuals rated their math ability unfavorably.

According to Deutsch and Gerrard’s 'Two Process Model,' how do normative and informational social influence interact?

The model suggests that normative and informational social influence are not mutually exclusive but can complement each other, as dissenting views can provide social support and alternative information. Signup and view all the answers

Why might it be more beneficial to view NSI and ISI as complementary rather than separate processes?

Viewing NSI and ISI as complementary allows for a better understanding of how they can simultaneously affect behavior, such as when social support counteracts group pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of conducting the experiment without confederates beforehand?

To ensure participants knew the correct answer and control the confounding variable of a lack of knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

How does successful replication of the experiment contribute to reliability?

It reduces the likelihood that the observed findings were a 'one-off', thereby increasing reliability. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical guideline did the researchers breach during the experiment?

The researchers breached the BPS ethical guideline of deception. Signup and view all the answers

How do ethical issues relate to the validity and reliability of the findings?

Ethical issues do not threaten the validity or reliability, but indicate a need for cost-benefit analysis. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence from the study supports the idea of normative social influence?

Participants reported conforming to fit in with the group despite privately disagreeing with the majority. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it claimed that the study lacks ecological validity?

The study's findings cannot be generalized to real life as it oversimplifies the complexity of real-life conformity. Signup and view all the answers

What sampling issue undermines the population validity of the study?

The participants were only American male undergraduates, highlighting a potential gender bias. Signup and view all the answers

What potential psychological harm could participants experience after the study?

Participants could feel embarrassed upon realizing the true aims of the study. Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial reaction of both guards and prisoners in the study regarding their roles?

Both guards and prisoners quickly adapted to their roles, embracing the expectations of their respective positions. Signup and view all the answers

How did the guards' behavior change during the study?

The guards became harsher and more aggressive, enjoying their newfound power over the prisoners. Signup and view all the answers

How did prisoners react to the institutional environment of the study?

Prisoners became submissive and often reported on each other to gain favor from the guards. Signup and view all the answers

What changes were made in the management of prisons as a result of the research findings?

Prison practices were altered, such as separating young prisoners from adults to reduce negative influences. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical practices were implemented after the study, given the breach of guidelines?

Participants were fully debriefed about the study's aims and results to address ethical concerns. Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggests that prisoners perceived the prison environment as real?

Prisoners talked only about prison issues and defended the guards, indicating their internalization of the prison context. Signup and view all the answers

What significant observation was made regarding the relationship between guards and prisoners as the study progressed?

The relationship became increasingly characterized by compliance from prisoners and assertiveness from guards. Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of the study's validity, considering the methods used?

Although ethical issues were addressed post-study, the initial deception might compromise the validity of participants' reactions. Signup and view all the answers

What ethical concerns arose from the psychological distress experienced by participants in Zimbardo's study?

Participants faced significant psychological harm, including stress and emotional distress, leading to some being released due to excessive suffering. Signup and view all the answers

Define the agentic state in the context of obedience to authority.

The agentic state is when an individual believes someone else will take responsibility for their actions, leading them to defer their own responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by an 'agentic shift'?

An agentic shift occurs when a person transitions from an autonomous state, where they take responsibility for their actions, to an agentic state. Signup and view all the answers

How does the legitimacy of authority influence obedience according to the content above?

Legitimacy of authority increases obedience as individuals are more likely to follow commands from figures perceived as credible and morally justified. Signup and view all the answers

In Milgram's study, why did participants view the experimenter as a legitimate authority?

Participants perceived the experimenter as legitimate due to his status as a scientist, which implied expertise and moral responsibility. Signup and view all the answers

What situational factors can affect an individual's willingness to obey authority?

Situational factors include the appearance of the authority figure, the location of the command, and the proximity of the authority to the individual. Signup and view all the answers

What role does uniform play in the obedience towards authority figures?

Uniforms elevate the status of authority figures, contributing to a greater sense of legitimacy and increasing the likelihood of obedience. Signup and view all the answers

Why is the breach of ethical guidelines in Zimbardo's study considered unacceptable by today's standards?

The study is deemed unacceptable as it exposed participants to extreme psychological distress without proper safeguards. Signup and view all the answers

What potential positive outcome does the research on obedience suggest when it comes to society?

It may reduce future obedience to destructive authority figures. Signup and view all the answers

What did Gina Perry's review of interview tapes reveal about participants' thoughts during Milgram's study?

Many participants raised questions about the legitimacy of the electric shocks. Signup and view all the answers

What was a notable finding from Milgram's study regarding participants' belief in the electric shocks?

70% of participants believed the shocks were real. Signup and view all the answers

How does the study's high replicability contribute to its credibility?

Consistent obedience levels observed in various replications increase the reliability of the findings. Signup and view all the answers

In the replication study 'Le Jeu de la Mort', what percentage of participants administered lethal shocks?

85% of participants were willing to give lethal electric shocks. Signup and view all the answers

What did Hofling et al.'s (1966) study observe regarding obedience within a medical setting?

They conducted covert observation of doctors and nurses' behavior regarding obedience. Signup and view all the answers

What insight does the research provide about human behavior in response to authority?

It highlights how individuals can easily succumb to pressures from authority figures. Signup and view all the answers

What implication does the research on obedience have for understanding historical events like the Holocaust?

It offers an explanation for why individuals were willing to commit atrocities under orders. Signup and view all the answers

What role does social support play in reducing obedience, as demonstrated in Milgram's study variations?

Social support significantly reduces obedience by providing individuals with confidence to reject authority, as shown when participants disobeyed in the presence of confederates. Signup and view all the answers

How did Gamson et al.'s research contribute to our understanding of resistance to social influence?

Gamson et al. found that larger groups strengthen social support systems, resulting in 88% of participants resisting conformity to a smear campaign. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of Moscovici's study on minority influence?

The primary aim was to observe how a consistent minority could influence a majority group in their perception of color. Signup and view all the answers

In Moscovici's experiment, what effect did consistent confederate answers have on participant responses?

When confederates consistently claimed the slides were green, about 8% of participants also reported the slides as green. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the 10% obedience rate in the presence of disobedient confederates in Milgram's variations?

The 10% obedience rate illustrates how social support from disobedient peers diminishes the authority's influence on individual behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Describe how normative social influence was observed in the context of Gamson et al.'s findings.

Normative social influence was evident as participants resisted conformity to a smear campaign, likely due to the desire to align with fellow group members. Signup and view all the answers

How did the setup of Moscovici's study reflect the dynamics of majority and minority influence?

The study involved a majority of four participants and a minority of two confederates, allowing the examination of how the minority's consistent view could sway the majority. Signup and view all the answers

What does the finding that 88% of group members resisted conforming in Gamson et al.'s study suggest about group influence?

This suggests that strong social support within groups can enhance individual confidence to challenge and resist authoritative pressures. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conformity is yielding to group pressures. It is a change in behaviour or opinion as a result of real or imagined group pressure.
Internalisation: A permanent change in beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviour. Often resulting from informational social influence.
Identification: A temporary change in behaviour and beliefs that only occurs in the presence of a group.
Compliance: A temporary change in behaviour due to normative social influence (seeking approval/avoiding disapproval). Private disagreement exists.

Types of Conformity

Internalisation: Accepting the group's beliefs, values, and behaviours as your own (strongest type).
Identification: Adopting the group's behaviours and opinions publicly but not privately.
Compliance: Behaving in line with the majority publicly even if you don't privately agree to the thoughts or behaviours.

Aim: To investigate how readily people conform to social roles in a simulated environment.
Participants: 24 male undergraduate students randomly assigned as prisoners or guards.
Procedure: The basement of Stanford University converted into a simulated prison. Participants were issued uniforms and assigned roles.
Findings: Significant situational and role-related effects (prisoners' behaviours, guards' aggression, and rapid identification with the roles.

Factors Affecting Conformity

Size of Majority/Group Size: Larger groups, typically 3-4 people, lead to higher levels of conformity.
Unanimity/Unanimity of Majority: When unanimous, conformity is higher. If even one person disagrees, conformity levels fall significantly.
Task Difficulty: More difficult tasks lead to increased conformity, as people are less certain of the correct response.

Evaluation of Conformity Studies (e.g., Asch)

Strengths:
- High internal validity: Strict control over extraneous variables, allowing for reliable cause-and-effect.
- Lab experiment: Easy replication, increasing reliability.
Weaknesses:
- Lacks ecological validity: The artificial task doesn't reflect real-life conformity situations.
- Lacks population validity: Based on a small, specific sample (American male undergraduates).
- Ethical issues: Deception used; need for cost-benefit analysis (briefing and debriefing).

Obedience (Milgram's Study)

Aim: To investigate whether people would obey a figure of authority when told to harm another person.
Procedure: Participants given the role of "teacher" and a confederate acts as the "learner". Participants ordered to increase shock intensity with each wrong answer.
Findings: A high percentage of participants obeyed, even to the extreme shocks.

Factors Affecting Obedience

Proximity: Closeness of the authority figure and victim impacts obedience levels. Lower proximity = lower obedience.
Location: The prestige of the location can affect the obedience levels (e.g. prestigious university higher obedience).
Uniform: Authority figure in uniform tends to garner higher levels of obedience.

Evaluation of Obedience Studies (e.g., Milgram)

Strengths:
- High internal validity: Strict control over extraneous variables.
- Real-life applications: Explains situations like the Holocaust and potentially reduces obedience to destructive authority figures.
Weaknesses:
- Lacks ecological validity: Artificial context, and the artificial tasks may not reflect real-life situations.
- Ethical issues: Deception and psychological harm to participants. Importance of debriefing and ethical considerations.

Explanations for Obedience

Agentic State: Shifting responsibility from oneself to the authority figure.
Legitimacy of Authority: Obedience to figures perceived as having legitimate authority.
Situational Factors: Factors operating during the experiment influencing obedience (e.g., proximity, location, and uniform).

Dispositional Explanation for Obedience: Authoritarian Personality

Authoritarian personality: A personality type characterised by a high respect for authority, intolerance of weakness, and rigidity. This type is more likely conform to and obey authority figures.
Authoritarian personality measured by F-scale.

Locus of Control: Whether a person feels they have control over events in their life (internal versus external). Individuals with an internal locus of control are more resistant to social influence.
Social Support: The presence of others who resist conformity or obedience can increase resistance levels within an individual.

Minority Influence

Minorities can create social change by being consistent, committed, and flexible in their campaigning to affect opinion. This leads to the majority reconsidering the minority's point of view. Moscovici's study highlights this important factor of social support to effect conformity.

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Description

Explore the concepts of normative and informational social influence through this quiz. You will examine their roles in individual behavior, the effects on bullying, and the ethical considerations of related experiments. Test your understanding of key theories and evidence in social psychology.