Social Psychology: Influence, Groups and Attribution
Core concepts
Social psychology studies how others shape thoughts and behaviour. Know conformity research (Asch's line judgements; normative versus informational influence; factors: group size, unanimity, task difficulty). Know obedience (Milgram; situational factors: proximity, legitimacy of authority, presence of allies) and the ethical debates around deception and protection from harm.
Understand bystander behaviour: diffusion of responsibility, pluralistic ignorance, and the five-step helping model. Know attribution theory: internal versus external, fundamental attribution error, actor-observer bias, self-serving bias. Understand social identity and ingroup/outgroup bias, stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination, plus attitude change through cognitive dissonance.
Common traps
- Confusing conformity (peer pressure, no explicit command) with obedience (direct order from authority).
- Confusing normative influence (fitting in) with informational influence (believing others know better).
- Stating that Milgram's participants were unusual; the finding was the high rate of obedience among ordinary people.
- Describing the fundamental attribution error as applying equally to self and others; it is stronger for others' behaviour.
Rule of thumb
When analysing a social scenario, identify the source of influence, the mechanism (normative, informational, authority, responsibility diffusion) and the outcome (behaviour change, attitude change).
Worked example
In a crowded room, nobody calls an ambulance. Diffusion of responsibility (each assumes another will act) and pluralistic ignorance (nobody looks alarmed, so each reads the situation as non-emergency) both reduce helping.