Social psychology: Practice Questions

In the context of conformity, which term describes a deep type of conformity where a person genuinely accepts the group norms, resulting in a private as well as public change in behavior?

A teacher asks a group of sixth-form students to solve a complex statistical puzzle. Elena initially has no idea how to solve the problem. She observes that the top three mathematics students in the class all propose the same detailed method. Elena adopts their method and genuinely believes it is the correct solution, both during the lesson and when doing similar problems on her own at home.

Which explanation for conformity and which type of conformity are demonstrated by Elena's behaviour?

In an experiment investigating the variables affecting conformity similar to Asch's study, a researcher finds that when the number of confederates giving the wrong answer increases from 1 to 3, conformity rates rise to approximately \(31.8\%\). However, further increases in group size do not significantly increase conformity. Which variable is being manipulated here?

In Asch's baseline line judgement study, what happened to the rate of participant conformity when one dissenting confederate gave the correct answer throughout the trial?

A factory supervisor instructs Tariq to dispose of chemical waste in a nearby river. Although Tariq knows this is harmful, he carries out the instruction because he views himself as merely executing the supervisor's orders rather than being personally responsible for the consequences.

Which explanation for obedience best accounts for Tariq's behavior?

Distinguish between internalisation and compliance as types of conformity.

(a) Briefly explain what is meant by the term internalisation as a type of conformity. (2 points)

(b) Briefly explain what is meant by the term compliance as a type of conformity. (1 point)