social influence

• What is conformity?


  Effect of real or imagined group pressure (majority influence)
• What was the aim of Asch's study?


  To investigate group pressure in unambiguous situations
• How did group size affect conformity in Asch's study?

  1. 3 confederates had little influence; 3+ confederates increased influence
• What was the conformity rate found in Asch's study?


  32% conformity rate - participants gave the wrong answer 1/3 of the time
• What factors influenced conformity according to Asch's study?

  Unanimity, anonymity, task difficulty, and expertise
• How does unanimity affect conformity?


  Conformity is lower if there is dissent in a unanimous group
• How does task difficulty influence conformity?


  More errors under a standard increase conformity
• What is the relationship between expertise and conformity?


  More expertise leads to less conformity
• What dispositional factors affect conformity?


  Internal/external locus of control and moral issues
• What cultural context was Asch's study conducted in?


  1950s America, which was less individualistic
• What ethical considerations were noted in Asch's study?


  There were no serious ethical issues
• What is the main conclusion from Asch's study?


  Even unambiguous situations can cause group pressure
• What is obedience?


  Response to a direct order from an authority figure
• What was the aim of Milgram's study?


  To investigate German differences in terms of obedience
• What was the procedure in Milgram's study?


  Participants were instructed to give shocks for wrong answers
• What percentage of participants delivered the highest shock in Milgram's study?


  65% delivered the highest shock
• What social factors influence obedience according to Milgram's study?


  Agency, authority, legitimacy, culture, and proximity
• What is the agency theory in the context of obedience?


  People follow orders with no responsibility
• How does authority affect obedience?


  Wearing a lab coat or uniform increases obedience
• What is the significance of proximity in Milgram's study?


  Closer proximity increases obedience
• What is the authoritarian personality?


  Respect for authority and dislike for lower status individuals
• What cognitive style is associated with the authoritarian personality?


  Rigid descriptions and dislike for change
• How does empathy relate to the authoritarian personality?


  They may have low empathy and be ethically unscrupulous
• What are the limitations of Milgram's study regarding external validity?


  Only 65% obedience is high, but it can't explain all cases
• How do gender and dispositional variables affect obedience?


  Women can be affected, but other variables also influence obedience
• What is prosocial behavior?


  Behavior which is beneficial to other people
• What was the aim of Piliavin's subway study?


  To investigate factors influencing prosocial behavior
• How does the presence of others affect helping behavior?


  The more people present, the less likely someone will help
• What is the cost of helping in emergency situations?


  Includes potential punishment or blame, and guilt or shame
• How does similarity to the victim influence helping behavior?


  Helping is more likely if the victim is under 16 or of the same gender
• How does empathy affect the quality of help provided?


  Empathy affects the quality of help, leading to higher quality assistance
• What is deindividuation in the context of crowd behavior?


  Loss of ability to restrain anti-social behavior due to crowd anonymity
• What did researchers find about social loafing in groups?


  People put in less effort when working in a group
• How do cultural differences affect crowd behavior?


  Lack of shared culture can lead to inability to help in problems
• What are the moral implications of group and helping behavior?


  Group behavior can boost moral considerations of right and wrong
• How do extroverted personalities affect crowd behavior?


  Extroverted personalities may increase police presence but not decrease violent protests