Social psychology

• social influence occurs when the real or implied presence of people influence the behaviour and attitudes of others. obedience and conformity are types of social influence
• social influence theory (Kelman 1958)


  people change their attitudes and beliefs and consequently their behaviour due to social influence
• 3 social influence processes

  1. compliance being influenced by the out of desire to be liked, to be rewarded or avoid punishment. only last as long as person seems beneficial. eg slowing down for speeding cameras

  • influencing agent - people that have the power to reward and punish
• 3 social influence processes


  2. identification - being influenced by the group norm with the desire to fit into your groups shared identity or have a relationship with the group or person

  eg student forming positive relationship with the teacher for help and resources

  influencing agent - people that others believe having a relationship with would be attractive and important
• 3 social influence processes

  3. internalisation - being influenced by the belief that the collective wisdom of the group helps guide the way to the truth. the person accepts the influence of attitude or behaviour because it aligns with their own

  eg being friends with people that support the same political party as you

  influencing agent - people that have credibility due to being trustworthy and an expert in their field
• strengths of Kelman 1985


  • can be tested experimentally
  • can explain how process of influence can be directed to the patients behaviour both within and outisde the therapy situation
• limitations of kelman

  • close observation and analysis of interaction that people have is required
• obedience - changing behaviour in response to a direct order by an authority figure.
• conformity - changing of behaviour to align with those of a group due to real or implied pressure
• Solomon Asch (psychologist) said that the presence of others can encourage people to behave in the same manner
• Factors affecting conformity


  Normative influence - occurs when people conform because they want to be accepted by the group and not stand out

  Informational influence - occurs when people conform because they would like to be correct and currently lack the information needed to be sure of their opinion or belief
• Factors Affecting Conformity - Culture


  Individualistic culture - value people standing out as an individual and value independence. eg Australia and New Zealand

  Collectivist cultures - value the needs of the groups over individual interest and discourages individuality. eg China and North Korea
• Factors affecting conformity - Group Size


  Rates of conformity increases as the group size increases
• Factors affecting conformity


  Unanimity - when people all agree on the same thing

  when all members of the group behave or believe a certain way its more likely that an individual will conform
• Factors affecting conformity


  Deindividuation - the process where people have reduced self awareness and feel less aware in group situations. reduced anonymity

  • Mentality of "everyone is doing it so i can do it" occurs and people are more likely to conform
  • Can be reduced by making people feel that they're identifiable
• Factors affecting conformity

  Social Loafing - tendency for individuals to reduce their effort when working in groups

  • increases when group size increases
  • sucker affect - individual reduces the effort they put in when working in a group after realising other group members aren't putting in much effort
  • free-rider affect - an individual reduces their effort when working in a group because they believe other group members cna successfully complete the task without them
  • can be reduced by adding high level of importance and making individuals accountable for their actions
• Line Judgement Task (Solomon Asch)

  In experiment actors picked the wrong line and then people conform to picking the wrong one.

  Alone - less than 1% wrong

  In groups - wrong 33% of the time
• Factors affecting anti social behaviour

  Diffusion of responsibility - a reduction in personal responsibility everyone thinks someone else will act. the more people present the less likely someone is to help
• Factors affecting anti social behavior

  Audience Inhibition - presence of others can make people feel self conscious and scared of making a mistake and humiliate themselves
• Factors affecting anti social behavior

  Social influence - more likely to act if your role models of higher ranking peers do. Other peoples behaviours guide our own. " if no one else is doing it why should i?"
• Factors affecting anti social behavior

  Cost benefit analysis -calculate what you'll gain vs what you'll loose if you get involved

  3 stages - physiological arousal, labeling the arousal, evaluating the consequences
• Anti social behaviour - behaviour that harms society and it's members by intentionally violating the rights of others
• Kitty Genovese Case - Bystander affect


  38 people heard her be attacked, no one helped
• Bystander affect


  A bystander is a person at an event but not taking part

  Bystander affect proposes that the more people present, the less likely help will be offered by individuals
• Bystander affect - smoke filled roomLatane and Darely

  72 students sit in room and fill in questionnaire

  • study was designed to understand why people are less likely to offer help in emergency situations when there are other people present
  • when smoke started filling the room 75% of the time the person left alone got help, but only 38% of students went to get help when in the room with others because no body else in the room acted
• Bullying as an example of antisocial behaviour


  bullying - purposeful use of difference in power to repeatedly cause harm. repeated behaviour
• Pro social behaviour


  voluntary actions that promote social acceptance and benefit society and its members
• Factors affecting pro social behaviour


  Reciprocity principle - a social norm where somebody feels obligated to return a favour to a person that does something for them
• Factors affecting pro social behaviour


  Social responsibility - the theory that individuals accountable for acting in a way that benefits society. Sense of obligation often related to morality. eg blood donation
• Factors affecting pro social behaviour


  Personal Characteristics

  • empathy - ability to sense and share the thoughts or feelings of another person. more likely to help it feel sorry for them or understand their feelings
  • Mood - low mood = less likely to do pro social behaviour
  • Competence - if somebody believes they have the ability to help somebody they will
• Alturism


  Helping others without expecting any personal rewards. eg volunteer
• Conformity


  changing behaviour to align with others due to real or implied preassure
• Group think


  group members conform to make unanimous decisions without using critical reasoning
• reasons why people help others

  • relationship with them
  • altruistic reasons like empathy
  • they think they will be rewarded
• bystander effect - smoke filled room

  • criticism + limitations - can't generalise results to the population of as it was perfomed on males the same age. not realistic as other people in the room were actors told not to react
  • contribution - focused on relationship between bystanders and victim