AQA A level Psychology - Social influence Questions and Answers Already Passed

AQA A level Psychology - Social influence Questions and Answers Already Passed Conformity A change in a person's behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people Types of conformity - internalisation Kelman (1958) Genuinely accepts group norms public + private change of opinions/behaviour Permanent/persist in absence of group members Attitudes have become part of how individual thinks (internalised) Types of conformity - identification Identify with group we value, want to become part of it Publicly change opinions/behaviour even if privately don't agree with everything Types of conformity - compliance 'Going along with others' publicly No change in private opinion Superficial change - opinions/behaviour stops when group pressure ceases Explanations for conformity - 1: two process theory Deutsch & Gerald (1955) Two main reasons for conformity 2 central human needs: right to be right (ISI) / liked (NSI) Explanations for conformity - 2: informative social influence (ISI) Uncertain about what behaviours/beliefs are right or wrong E.g. do not know answer to question in class, most other students agree, go along (feel they are probably right) Cognitive process: desire to be right More likely in new/ambiguous situations (not clear what is right) Decisions need to be made quickly/group regarded as experts Explanations for conformity - 3: normative social influence (NSI) What is 'normal' - typical behaviour for social group Regulate behaviour of groups/individuals Emotional process: don't want to look foolish, prefer social approval over rejection Strangers:don't know norms, look to others for how to behave, concerned about rejection Friends: concerned about their social approval More pronounced in stressful situations (greater need for social support) Explanations for conformity - ISI (research support) Lucas et al: students give answer to easy/difficult maths questions More conformity to incorrect answers with difficult problems Most true for those who rated maths ability as poor People conform when they do not know the answer, predicted by ISI Look to other people: assume they must be better than us/are right Explanations for conformity - NSI (research support) Asch line study: asked to explain why gave wrong answer Some said self-conscious giving right answer/afraid of disapproval Written answers: conformity fell to 12.5% Supports that they were conforming due to NSI Explanations for conformity - two process theory (oversimplified) States behaviour due to either ISI or NSI Conformity reduced with dissenter in Asch study Reduced power of NSI (social support) or ISI (alternative source of info) Isn't always possible to know if ISI or NSI is at work Questions view of operating independently Conformity: Asch's research - Asch's research (procedure) 123 American male students Naive ppts tested individually with group of 6-8 confederates Had to identify length of standard line (to 3 comparison lines - 2 clearly wrong) Confederates: correct answer on first few trials Same wrong answers on 12/18 critical trials Conformity: Asch's research - Asch's research (findings/conclusions) Ppts gave wrong answer on 36.8% of critical trials High level of conformity 75% conformed on at least one trial 25% never conformed Asch effect: conform even in unambiguous situation Most said conformed to avoid rejection (NSI) but continued to trust own private opinion (compliance) Conformity: Asch's research - Asch's research (variations: group size) Number of confederates 2 confederates: conformity to wrong answer 13.6% 3 confederates: rose to 31.8% Adding more made little difference Conformity: Asch's research - Asch's research (variations: unanimity