Psych 101 Social Psychology Conformity Obedience
38 flashcards covering Psych 101 Social Psychology Conformity Obedience for the PSYCHOLOGY-101 Intro Psych Topics section.
Social psychology examines how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others. Key concepts in this area include conformity and obedience, which are defined by the American Psychological Association (APA) in their guidelines for introductory psychology courses. Conformity refers to the adjustment of one's behavior or attitudes to align with group norms, while obedience involves following direct commands from an authority figure.
On practice exams and competency assessments, questions about conformity and obedience often take the form of scenario-based items, asking candidates to identify the psychological principles at play in a given situation. A common pitfall is misinterpreting the difference between conformity, which is often subtle and involves social pressure, and obedience, which is more explicit and involves authority. Workers in this field frequently overlook the impact of group dynamics on decision-making, which can lead to poor outcomes if not addressed. Understanding these concepts is crucial for effective interaction in team settings and leadership roles.
Terms (38)
- 01
What is conformity in social psychology?
Conformity is the adjustment of one's behavior or beliefs to align with those of others, often in response to real or imagined group pressure (Myers Psychology).
- 02
What are the types of conformity?
The main types of conformity are compliance, identification, and internalization, each reflecting different motivations for change in behavior or beliefs (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 03
What is obedience in the context of social psychology?
Obedience is a form of social influence where an individual follows direct commands, usually from an authority figure (Myers Psychology).
- 04
How did Solomon Asch's experiments demonstrate conformity?
Asch's experiments showed that individuals would conform to a group's incorrect answer about line lengths, highlighting the power of group pressure on individual judgment (Myers Psychology).
- 05
What factors increase conformity according to social psychology research?
Factors that increase conformity include group size, unanimity, cohesion, status, and the presence of an ally (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 06
What is the significance of Stanley Milgram's obedience study?
Milgram's study revealed that ordinary people are willing to obey authority figures even when asked to perform actions conflicting with their personal conscience (Myers Psychology).
- 07
Under what conditions is obedience most likely to occur?
Obedience is most likely to occur when the authority figure is perceived as legitimate, the victim is depersonalized, and there are no clear social norms against the behavior (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 08
What is the difference between private and public conformity?
Private conformity involves a change in beliefs or attitudes, while public conformity involves outwardly changing behavior without a change in private beliefs (Myers Psychology).
- 09
How does groupthink relate to conformity?
Groupthink occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group leads to irrational or dysfunctional outcomes, often due to conformity pressures (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 10
What role does culture play in conformity?
Culture significantly influences conformity levels, with collectivist cultures often exhibiting higher conformity rates compared to individualistic cultures (Myers Psychology).
- 11
What is normative social influence?
Normative social influence is the influence of others that leads us to conform in order to be liked and accepted by them (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 12
How does informational social influence differ from normative social influence?
Informational social influence occurs when individuals conform because they believe others have accurate information, leading to a change in beliefs (Myers Psychology).
- 13
What is the impact of dissent on conformity?
The presence of a dissenting individual can significantly reduce conformity by providing an alternative viewpoint and reducing group pressure (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 14
What is the concept of social facilitation?
Social facilitation refers to the tendency for individuals to perform better on tasks when in the presence of others, particularly on well-learned tasks (Myers Psychology).
- 15
What is the bystander effect in relation to conformity?
The bystander effect describes the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present, often due to diffusion of responsibility (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 16
How does the concept of deindividuation relate to conformity?
Deindividuation refers to a state where individuals in a group lose self-awareness and feel less accountable, often leading to increased conformity to group norms (Myers Psychology).
- 17
What is the role of authority in promoting obedience?
Authority figures can promote obedience by establishing legitimacy and providing directives that individuals feel compelled to follow (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 18
How does the presence of an ally affect conformity?
The presence of an ally who shares a dissenting opinion can significantly decrease conformity, as it provides social support for nonconformity (Myers Psychology).
- 19
What is the relationship between self-esteem and conformity?
Individuals with lower self-esteem are generally more likely to conform to group pressures compared to those with higher self-esteem (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 20
What is the concept of social norms in relation to conformity?
Social norms are the accepted behaviors within a society or group that influence individuals to conform to expected standards (Myers Psychology).
- 21
How does peer pressure relate to conformity?
Peer pressure is a direct form of social influence that encourages individuals to conform to the behaviors or attitudes of their peers (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 22
What is the impact of group size on conformity rates?
Conformity rates tend to increase with group size, but only up to a point; after a certain number, additional members have less impact (Myers Psychology).
- 23
What is compliance in the context of social influence?
Compliance refers to the act of conforming to a request or demand, even if it goes against one's personal beliefs (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 24
How does the concept of cognitive dissonance relate to conformity?
Cognitive dissonance occurs when individuals experience discomfort due to conflicting beliefs or behaviors, which can lead to changes in attitudes to reduce dissonance (Myers Psychology).
- 25
What is the role of social comparison in conformity?
Social comparison involves evaluating oneself in relation to others, which can lead to conformity as individuals seek to align with perceived norms (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 26
What is the influence of minority groups on conformity?
Minority groups can influence conformity by presenting consistent and unwavering views, which can lead to change in the majority's beliefs over time (Myers Psychology).
- 27
How does situational context affect conformity?
Situational context, including the environment and social dynamics, can significantly influence the likelihood of conformity in individuals (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 28
What is the role of fear in promoting obedience?
Fear can act as a powerful motivator for obedience, particularly when individuals believe that disobedience may lead to negative consequences (Myers Psychology).
- 29
What is the significance of the foot-in-the-door technique?
The foot-in-the-door technique involves making a small request to increase the likelihood of compliance with a larger request later (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 30
What is the significance of the door-in-the-face technique?
The door-in-the-face technique involves making a large request that is likely to be refused, followed by a smaller request, increasing the chances of compliance (Myers Psychology).
- 31
How does the concept of social loafing relate to group dynamics?
Social loafing refers to the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group compared to working alone, often due to diffusion of responsibility (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 32
What is the impact of anonymity on conformity?
Anonymity can lead to increased conformity as individuals feel less accountable for their actions and more likely to align with group norms (Myers Psychology).
- 33
What is the role of group polarization in decision-making?
Group polarization is the tendency for group discussions to enhance the group's prevailing attitudes, leading to more extreme positions (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 34
How does the concept of social identity relate to conformity?
Social identity refers to an individual's sense of self derived from group membership, which can influence conformity to group norms (Myers Psychology).
- 35
What is the effect of cultural differences on conformity behaviors?
Cultural differences can significantly affect conformity behaviors, with collectivist cultures typically showing higher conformity than individualistic cultures (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 36
What is the role of situational versus dispositional factors in conformity?
Situational factors, such as group dynamics, often play a more significant role in influencing conformity than dispositional factors like personality traits (Myers Psychology).
- 37
How do social roles influence conformity?
Social roles can dictate expected behaviors in specific situations, which can lead to conformity as individuals adhere to these roles (Hockenbury Psychology).
- 38
What is the impact of groupthink on decision-making processes?
Groupthink can lead to poor decision-making as the desire for consensus overrides realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action (Myers Psychology).