chapter 7 psych revision

• Social influence

  The ways in which the thoughts, feelings and behaviours of an individual are influenced by the real or imagined presence of others. It can be helpful, harmful or neutral
• In-group

  A group that an individual belongs to and identifies with
• Out-group

  A group that an individual doesn't belong to or identify with
• Group norms

  Standards, values or rules that outline appropriate behaviour or experience within the group
• Types of group norms

  • Formal group norms (explicitly outlined rules or expectations) eg. set classroom rules
  • Informal group norms (unwritten rules that people in the group usually follow) eg. turning off phone at cinemas
• Social identity theory

  The tendency for people to favour their in-group over out-groups in order to enhance their sense of self-esteem. eg. you may believe your class is smarter than other classes
• Social loafing

  The tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group, due to the belief that others will put in the effort
• Individualistic culture

  A culture that prioritises the needs and goals of individuals and values independence
• Collectivist culture

  A culture that prioritises the needs and goals of the group and encourages people to act in the interests of the group
• Obedience

  Following a command given by someone with authority or the rules of society
• Factors affecting obedience

  • Proximity (physical and relationship)
  • Group pressure
  • Perceived authority and power of the person giving the order
• Conformity

  Occurs in situations when individuals change their behaviour as a result of real or implied pressure from others. eg. wearing same clothes as your group of friends or changing your answer because everyone else's is different.
• Factors affecting conformity

  • Social norms
  • Deindividuation
  • Groupshift
  • Groupthink
• Print media

  Media that is displayed in full on a physical surface.

  • newspaper
  • poster
  • magazines
• Digital media

  Media that is designed to be projected onto an electronic device

  • social media post
  • TV
• Technological determinism

  The theory that technology influences human behavior, thought processes, and mental health. It suggests that advancements and changes in technology can shape how individuals interact with the world and with each other, as well as how they think and feel.
• Social connections

  The network of people an individual is able to connect with for support and engagement
• Positive influences of digital media (social connections) on individual behaviour

  • Increased ability to access support
  • Increased social connections not limited by physical proximity
• Negative influences of digital media (social connections) in individual behaviour

  • Increased pressure to stay connected and respond in real-time, leading to social fatigue and burnout
  • May be false as people lie about who they are, leading to unsafe relationships
• Obedience experiment

  Stanley Milgram's experiment to investigate the extent to which individuals would obey others perceived to hold authority, even when commands required hurting others
• Conformity experiment

  Asch's experiment to investigate the extent to which individuals would conform to the majority of a group, even if the group was wrong
• Social comparison theory

  The proposal that humans evaluate their self-worth in relation to the people around them, which can significantly impact mental wellbeing
• Addictive behaviours

  Behaviours associated with a dependence on a particular stimulus, despite negative consequences
• Positive uses of digital media include

  • accessing information
  • responding quickly to emergencies
  • enabling communication
• Negative uses of digital media include

  • Misinformation can be spread quickly using online platforms
  • There are no restrictions on who can share information online, leading to misleading posts
• A group

  • 2 or more individuals
  • Interaction with each other
  • Need to influence each other
  • Share a common goal/purpose within the group
• Culture

  The customs, behaviours and values of a particular group of a society
• Physical proximity

  Refers to the physical distance between two people. The closer physical distance, the greater the likelihood of obedience
• Relationship proximity

  Refers to the closeness of the relationship between two people. The closer the relationship between two people, the greater the likelihood of obedience
• Group pressure affecting obedience

  Individual behaviour = more likely to follow the group

  If the group is being disobedient = the individual most likely to be disobedient
• Status of authority figure affecting obedience

  If the person giving the order is a figure of authority or is perceived to have a high status, the order/command is more likely to be obeyed. It is often conveyed through symbols and uniform.
• Social norms

  Society's unofficial rules and expectations regarding how an individual should act. eg. getting married (informal norm) as no one is telling you to get married
• Deindividuation

  Refers to the tendency for individuals to lose their sense of identity and individuality within a group. eg. a group removes personal responsibilities for one's actions
• Groupshift

  Refers to a condition in which the influence of the group causes an individual to adapt a more extreme position. The more influential a group is, the greater chance of conformity.
• Groupthink

  A psychological phenomenon in which group unanimity overrules individual's realistic appraisal of consequences - individual's ability to critically evaluate ideas. eg. an individual suppressing their concerns to avoid conflict and maintain harmony with the group.
• Media

  Refers to the forms in which information is communicated and spread throughout society
• Positive influence of social connections on group behaviour

  • Increased scope to form communities and mobilise large groups

  Negative

  • increases potential conformity, including people more likely to online bully others with a social group
• Social Comparison theory

  A proposal that humans measure their self worth in relation to the people around them, playing a significant role in mental wellbeing.

  Unfavourable comparison = results in drop in mental health

  Favourable comparison = results in a boost in mental health
• Addictive behaviours

  Behaviours that are associated with a dependence upon a particular stimulus, despite negative consequences
• Information access

  How easily information can be accessed by different people