AQA Psychology A-level: Social Influence

Part 1: Types of Conformity and Explanations for Conformity

• Conformity: Change in behavior/opinion due to group pressure.

  • Internalisation: Adopting group's beliefs permanently (informational social influence).
  • Identification: Temporary change in behavior in presence of group (middle level).
  • Compliance: Public agreement, private disagreement (normative social influence).

• Informational Social Influence: Conforming to be correct when uncertain; leads to internalisation.

  • Evidence: Fein et al. study on US presidential voting behavior.

• Normative Social Influence: Conforming to be liked or accepted by others.

  • Evidence: Link to bullying; Garandeau & Cillissen's study.

Part 2: Variables Affecting Conformity (Asch's Study)

• Study Details: 123 male undergraduates, line comparison task, group of 6 (1 participant, 5 confederates).

• Findings:

  • 36.8% conformed
  • 75% conformed at least once
  • Control trial showed only 1% error

• Factors:

  • Group Size: More likely to conform with larger groups.
  • Unanimity: Conformity decreases with a non-unanimous group.
  • Task Difficulty: Higher difficulty increases conformity.

Part 3: Conformity to Social Roles (Zimbardo's Study)

• Study Details: 24 male students, simulated prison setup.

• Findings:

  • Rapid role adoption by guards and prisoners.
  • Guards displayed aggressive behavior.
  • Prisoners became submissive.

• Evaluation:

  • Changed US prison operations.
  • Ethical issues addressed through debriefing.

Part 4: Explanations for Obedience

• Agentic State: Shifting responsibility to authority.
• Legitimacy of Authority: More obedience to credible figures.
• Situational Factors: Uniform, location, and proximity affect obedience.

Part 5: Variables Affecting Obedience (Milgram's Study)

• Study Details: 40 male volunteers, electric shock experiment.

• Findings:

  • 65% administered maximum voltage.

• Factors:

  • Proximity: Obedience decreases with distance from authority.
  • Location: Higher obedience in prestigious settings.
  • Uniform: Increases perceived legitimacy.

Part 6: Dispositional Explanations for Obedience

• Authoritarian Personality: Obedience linked to personality traits (measured by F-scale).
  • Critiques: Methodological issues and limited scope.

Part 7: Resistance to Social Influence

• Locus of Control:
  • Internal: Less conformity, more personal control.
  • External: More susceptible to obedience.
• Social Support: Reduces conformity and obedience.

Part 8: Minority Influence

• Key Factors: Consistency, commitment, flexibility.
• Moscovici's Study: Consistency influenced majority opinion.

Part 9: Social Influence in Social Change

• Processes: Minority influence, internal locus of control, disobedience.
• Examples: Changes in race and sexuality attitudes.
• Challenges: Slow process, stereotypes as barriers.