Social Influence Questions
Conformity:
1. One variable that affects conformity is ‘unanimity’. Explain what is meant by ‘unanimity’ (2 marks)
2. Apart from unanimity, identify and briefly outline two variables that affect conformity (6 marks)
3. Outline the procedure and findings of one study into conformity conducted by Asch. (6 marks)
4. Referring to Asch’s research, briefly explain how group size, unanimity and task difficulty affect
conformity (6 marks)
5. Evaluate Asch’s research into conformity (6 marks)
6. Describe and evaluate Asch’s research into conformity. (16 marks)
Types and Explanations of Conformity:
1. Explain internalisation as a type of conformity. (2 marks)
2. Explain what is meant by ‘informational social influence’ in relation to conformity (2 marks)
3. Outline normative social influence as an explanation for conformity (4 marks)
4. Give brief explanations of the term’s ‘internalisation’, ‘identification’ and ‘compliance’ (6 marks)
5. Outline informational social influence and normative social influence (6 marks)
6. Evaluate informational social influence and normative social influence as explanations of conformity (6
marks)
7. Describe and evaluate informational social influence and normative social influence as explanations for
conformity (16 marks)
8. Outline and evaluate research into explanations of conformity (16 marks)
Conformity to Social Roles:
1. Using an example, explain what is meant by ‘social roles’ (2 marks)
2. Briefly describe Zimbardo’s research into conformity to social roles (4 marks)
3. Explain what Zimbardo’s study tells us about conformity to social roles. (6 marks)
4. Outline the procedure and findings of one study into conformity to social roles (6 marks)
5. Briefly discuss two criticisms of Zimbardo’s research. (6 marks)
6. Discuss research into conformity to social roles (16 marks)
7. Outline and evaluate research into conformity to social roles (16 marks)
0bedience:
1. Explain what is meant by ‘obedience’ (2 marks)
2. Briefly describe the procedures of Milgram’s obedience study (4 marks)
3. Outline the findings of Milgram’s study (4 marks)
4. Briefly discuss three criticisms of Milgram’s study (6 marks)
5. Describe the procedure and findings of one study investigating obedience (6 marks)
6. Describe and evaluate Milgram’s research into obedience (16 marks)
Situational Variables of Obedience:
1. Explain how Milgram investigated proximity. In your answer include the procedure and what he concluded.
(4 marks)
2. Milgram investigated situational variables affecting obedience to authority, identify two of these
variables and explain how each of them effects obedience (6 marks)
3. Evaluate Milgram’s research into the effects of situational variables on obedience (6 marks)
4. Describe and evaluate two situational variables that have been shown by Milgram to affect obedience
to authority (16 marks)
Situational Explanations of Obedience:
1. Explain what is meant by ‘agentic state’ and ‘legitimacy of authority’ (4 marks)
Conformity:
1. One variable that affects conformity is ‘unanimity’. Explain what is meant by ‘unanimity’ (2 marks)
2. Apart from unanimity, identify and briefly outline two variables that affect conformity (6 marks)
3. Outline the procedure and findings of one study into conformity conducted by Asch. (6 marks)
4. Referring to Asch’s research, briefly explain how group size, unanimity and task difficulty affect
conformity (6 marks)
5. Evaluate Asch’s research into conformity (6 marks)
6. Describe and evaluate Asch’s research into conformity. (16 marks)
Types and Explanations of Conformity:
1. Explain internalisation as a type of conformity. (2 marks)
2. Explain what is meant by ‘informational social influence’ in relation to conformity (2 marks)
3. Outline normative social influence as an explanation for conformity (4 marks)
4. Give brief explanations of the term’s ‘internalisation’, ‘identification’ and ‘compliance’ (6 marks)
5. Outline informational social influence and normative social influence (6 marks)
6. Evaluate informational social influence and normative social influence as explanations of conformity (6
marks)
7. Describe and evaluate informational social influence and normative social influence as explanations for
conformity (16 marks)
8. Outline and evaluate research into explanations of conformity (16 marks)
Conformity to Social Roles:
1. Using an example, explain what is meant by ‘social roles’ (2 marks)
2. Briefly describe Zimbardo’s research into conformity to social roles (4 marks)
3. Explain what Zimbardo’s study tells us about conformity to social roles. (6 marks)
4. Outline the procedure and findings of one study into conformity to social roles (6 marks)
5. Briefly discuss two criticisms of Zimbardo’s research. (6 marks)
6. Discuss research into conformity to social roles (16 marks)
7. Outline and evaluate research into conformity to social roles (16 marks)
0bedience:
1. Explain what is meant by ‘obedience’ (2 marks)
2. Briefly describe the procedures of Milgram’s obedience study (4 marks)
3. Outline the findings of Milgram’s study (4 marks)
4. Briefly discuss three criticisms of Milgram’s study (6 marks)
5. Describe the procedure and findings of one study investigating obedience (6 marks)
6. Describe and evaluate Milgram’s research into obedience (16 marks)
Situational Variables of Obedience:
1. Explain how Milgram investigated proximity. In your answer include the procedure and what he concluded.
(4 marks)
2. Milgram investigated situational variables affecting obedience to authority, identify two of these
variables and explain how each of them effects obedience (6 marks)
3. Evaluate Milgram’s research into the effects of situational variables on obedience (6 marks)
4. Describe and evaluate two situational variables that have been shown by Milgram to affect obedience
to authority (16 marks)
Situational Explanations of Obedience:
1. Explain what is meant by ‘agentic state’ and ‘legitimacy of authority’ (4 marks)
