Conformity: types, explanations and variables: Practice Questions

What type of conformity occurs when an individual accepts influence because they hope to achieve a favourable reaction from those around them, without necessarily changing their private opinion?

In one situational variation of Milgram's obedience study, the teacher and learner were placed in the same room. What was the resulting obedience rate (percentage of participants who administered the maximum shock of \(450\) volts)?

According to Adorno's theory of the Authoritarian Personality, which of the following is a primary characteristic of individuals who score highly on the F-scale?

Which situational variable in Milgram's obedience research was found to have a significant impact when the experimenter was replaced by a 'member of the public' in everyday clothes?

In the context of Milgram's explanations for obedience, what term is used to describe the mental state where an individual feels no personal responsibility for their behavior because they believe they are acting for an authority figure?

Define the term compliance as a type of conformity and provide a brief example of how it might manifest in a social situation.

Describe the agentic state as an explanation for obedience and explain how the transition from autonomy to agency typically occurs.

A company director wants to increase obedience among staff by ensuring they view her instructions as legitimate. Using your knowledge of the legitimacy of authority and situational variables, explain how wearing a formal uniform and changing the setting from a local cafe to a prestigious head office might influence the workers' agentic state.

A group of four employees at a large tech firm, the 'Green Team', is campaigning for the company to become carbon neutral by 2030. The majority of the 500 employees are indifferent, and the Managing Director has publicly stated that the plan is "financially unrealistic" and has ordered the Green Team to stop their campaigning during work hours.

(a) With reference to minority influence, explain how the 'Green Team' could use consistency and flexibility to convince the majority of employees to support their cause. (4 points)

(b) Some employees immediately stopped supporting the 'Green Team' after the Managing Director's statement. Using your knowledge of explanations for obedience, explain why these employees might have behaved in this way. (2 points)

(c) One employee, Sarah, refuses to stop campaigning despite the Managing Director's order. Briefly explain how locus of control might account for Sarah's resistance to social influence. (1 point)