Social Influence in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What is the deepest form of conformity where individuals change their beliefs and behaviors both publicly and privately to match a group?

Internalization (correct)

Identification

Normalization

Compliance

Which study is well-known for demonstrating conformity through a line judgment task?

Asch (1951) (correct)

Festinger (1957)

Milgram (1963)

Zimbardo (1971)

In the dual-process model of conformity, which type of influence is driven by the desire to be liked or accepted by others?

Behavioral influence

Normative influence (correct)

Informational influence

Cognitive influence

What term describes superficial conformity where individuals change their behavior outwardly but do not alter their beliefs?

Compliance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a key topic in the curriculum of the introductory topics in psychology?

Autonomy Signup and view all the answers

Which approach focuses on observable behaviors and conditioning as the basis for behavior?

The Behaviourist Approach Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Forensic Psychology?

Theories related to criminal behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which research method is essential for examining casual relationships between variables?

Experimental designs Signup and view all the answers

What concept explains why individuals may follow orders that cause harm to others?

Agency Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which factor increases the likelihood of a minority group influencing the majority?

Flexibility Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the process of social change according to the content?

Drawing Attention Signup and view all the answers

What type of data is characterized by non-numerical descriptions?

Qualitative Data Signup and view all the answers

In which design are different participants assigned to each condition of an experiment?

Independent Groups Design Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of a field experiment?

Natural setting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a structured set of questions for collecting data?

Questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

What ethical consideration ensures that participants can leave a study whenever they choose?

Right to Withdraw Signup and view all the answers

What statistical method is used to determine if experimental results are significant?

Inferential Statistics Signup and view all the answers

Which approach in psychology emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind?

Psychodynamic Approach Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to learning through observation and imitation?

Social Learning Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which study demonstrated how leading questions can affect memory recall?

Loftus and Palmer (1974) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of serotonin in the biological approach to psychology?

Transmitting signals in the brain Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the phenomenon where the majority forgets that a social change was once controversial?

Social Cryptoamnesia Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary strength of Matched Pairs Design?

It controls individual differences. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential weakness of self-report data collection methods?

Participants may experience social desirability bias. Signup and view all the answers

Which ethical consideration ensures participants are informed about the study?

Informed Consent Signup and view all the answers

What type of statistics helps summarize data collected from a study?

Descriptive Statistics Signup and view all the answers

According to Raine et al. (1997), what brain abnormalities were found in murderers?

Decreased activity in the prefrontal cortex Signup and view all the answers

What did Loftus and Palmer (1974) demonstrate about memory recall?

Memory can be reconstructed and is influenced by language. Signup and view all the answers

What was the aim of Pavlov’s Dogs (1901) study?

To study classical conditioning in dogs. Signup and view all the answers

What did Skinner demonstrate in his 1938 study?

Behavior is shaped by reinforcement. Signup and view all the answers

What did Freud investigate in his study of Little Hans?

The development of phobias in children. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the Humanistic Approach in psychology?

The significance of personal growth and free will. Signup and view all the answers

Which research method involves participants being unaware they are being observed?

Covert observation Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements about the Cognitive Approach is true?

It emphasizes the importance of memory and perception. Signup and view all the answers

What type of data does inferential statistics provide?

Estimates about a population based on sample data. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Right to Withdraw' refer to in ethical research?

Participants can leave the study at any time. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the concept of self-actualization?

The process of realizing one's potential. Signup and view all the answers

In Asch's study on conformity, what was the primary factor leading to participant conformity?

Normative and informational social influence. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants in Milgram's study administered the maximum shock of 450 volts?

65% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about minority influence is true based on Moscovici's study?

Consistency is key for influencing the majority. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the snowball effect in social change?

Gradual influence leading to larger societal changes after reaching a tipping point. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary disadvantage of a repeated measures design in research?

Order effects can confound the results. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of qualitative data?

Focuses on individual opinions and descriptions. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant finding from the Rogers (1951) study on person-centered therapy?

Therapy is more effective when clients direct it. Signup and view all the answers

Freud's analysis of dreams was primarily focused on what aspect?

Interpreting the symbolic meanings behind dreams. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a limitation that needs to be evaluated across psychological approaches?

Potential bias in personal interpretations and applications. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential strength of the independent groups design in psychological research?

It reduces the likelihood of order effects. Signup and view all the answers

Behavioral explanations of aggression can be understood through which of the following approaches?

Social influences and learned behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is applied in understanding human motivation?

To identify the basic needs before achieving self-actualization. Signup and view all the answers

What does the agency theory suggest about individuals in Milgram's obedience study?

They see themselves as agents carrying out orders. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Social influence is how people's behaviour, attitudes, and opinions are affected by others.
Conformity: Changing beliefs or behaviours to fit in with a group.
- Internalization: Deep-seated change in beliefs and actions, both publicly and privately.
- Identification: Adopting group behaviours and beliefs temporarily to fit in.
- Compliance: Superficial change in behaviour without changing beliefs.
Asch (1951): Line judgment task.
- Aim: To investigate conformity.
- Method: Participants judged line lengths; confederates gave incorrect answers.
- Findings: 75% conformed at least once, demonstrating strong social influence.
- Conclusion: Conformity influenced by normative and informational social influence.
Obedience: Following an order from an authority figure.
Milgram (1963): Shock experiment.
- Aim: To study obedience to authority.
- Method: Participants (teachers) administered shocks to learners (confederates) if answers were wrong.
- Findings: 65% administered maximum shock, highlighting the power of authority.
- Conclusion: Obedience shaped by agency theory (responsibility shifted to authority).
Minority Influence: Small group influencing the majority.
Moscovici (1969): Blue-green slides study.
- Aim: To investigate minority influence.
- Method: Consistent minority asserted a different answer on colour perception.
- Findings: 8.4% of participants conformed, highlighting consistency's impact.
- Conclusion: Consistency is key for minority influence.
Social Change: How societal beliefs and behaviours change over time.
Snowball Effect: Gradual influence of a minority, leading to widespread change (e.g., civil rights).

Research Methods

Research methods used to study human behaviour.
Types of Data:
- Qualitative Data: Non-numerical, descriptive (e.g., interviews).
- Quantitative Data: Numerical, measurable (e.g., test scores).
- Primary Data: Directly collected by the researcher (e.g., experiments).
- Secondary Data: Data collected by others (e.g., government reports).
Experimental Designs:
- Independent Groups: Different participants in different conditions.
  - Benefits: No order effects.
  - Drawbacks: Individual differences.
- Repeated Measures: Same participants in all conditions.
  - Benefits: Fewer participants, controlled individual differences.
  - Drawbacks: Order effects (practice, fatigue).
- Matched Pairs: Participants matched on relevant characteristics (different conditions).
  - Benefits: Controls individual differences, avoids order effects.
  - Drawbacks: Matching can be difficult.
Types of Experiments:
- Laboratory: Controlled, artificial environment; high control, low ecological validity.
- Field: Natural setting; high ecological validity, low control.
- Natural: Independent variable naturally occurring.
- Quasi: Groups pre-existing (e.g., gender).
Data Collection Methods:
- Observations: Covert (unaware participants) or overt (aware participants).
- Self-Reports: Questionnaires (structured/unstructured) or Interviews (structured/semi-structured/unstructured).
Ethical Considerations:
- Informed Consent: Participants informed about the study.
- Deception: Minimized and justified when absolutely necessary.
- Right to Withdraw: Participants can leave at any stage.
- Confidentiality: Protecting personal information.
- Protection from Harm: Minimizing physical and psychological harm.
Data Analysis:
- Descriptive Statistics: Summarizing data (mean, median, mode, standard deviation).
- Inferential Statistics: Making inferences about the population based on sample data.

Psychological Approaches

Diverse perspectives on explaining human behaviour.
Biological Approach: Focuses on biological processes.
Strengths: Scientific methods, objective data.
Weaknesses: Oversimplification, reductionism.
Raine et al. (1997): Brain activity study in murderers.
- Aim: To investigate brain differences in murderers.
- Method: PET scans of murderers and control group.
- Findings: Murderers showed reduced activity in prefrontal cortex.
- Conclusion: Biological factors potentially involved in aggression.
Cognitive Approach: Focuses on mental processes (perception, memory, thinking).
Loftus and Palmer (1974): Memory distortion study.
- Aim: Investigating memory distortion due to questioning.
- Method: Participants watched car accidents and were asked different questions about speed.
- Findings: "Smashed" wording produced higher speed estimates compared to "hit."
- Conclusion: Memory is active and reconstructive, influenced by suggestion.
Behaviourist Approach: Focuses on observable behaviour and environmental factors.
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov’s Dogs): Learning through association (e.g., associating a bell with food).
Operant Conditioning (Skinner): Learning through reinforcement/punishment (e.g., Skinner box).
Psychodynamic Approach: Focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences (Freud, Little Hans).
Freud’s Little Hans (1909): Case study on a boy's phobia and unconscious fears (Oedipus complex).
Humanistic Approach: Focuses on personal growth, free will, and self-actualization.
Rogers’ Person-centered therapy: Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence.

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Description

Explore the concepts of conformity and obedience in social influence with this quiz. Delve into classic studies such as Asch's line judgment task and Milgram's obedience experiment to understand how individuals are affected by group dynamics and authority figures. Test your knowledge on the definitions, methods, and findings of these pivotal studies.