The study also found that the longer the victim lay on the floor, the less likely passengers were to help.
Social Approach
Psychology Notes
A Level/AS Level/O Level
Social Approach
The Power of the Crowd: Understanding Social Influence
We humans are social creatures. We crave connection and are constantly influenced by those around us. This influence can be subtle or drastic, shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let's explore some of the key concepts within the social approach in psychology.
1. Conformity: When We Follow the Crowd
Have you ever found yourself agreeing with a group, even if you secretly disagree? That's conformity! It's the tendency to adjust our behavior or beliefs to match those of a group.
-Why do we conform? We conform for several reasons:
- Informational Social Influence: When we are unsure, we look to others for guidance. Think of a new student trying to figure out the lunch line – they might observe others to see where to go.
- Normative Social Influence: We want to fit in and avoid social rejection. Think of choosing a popular brand of clothing to be accepted by your friends.
-Famous Experiments:
- Asch's Conformity Experiment: In this classic study, participants were asked to judge the length of lines. When put in a group with confederates (actors) who deliberately gave wrong answers, participants were more likely to conform and give the wrong answer as well.
2. Obedience: Following Orders
We've all been told to "do as you're told" at some point. But how far would you go if someone in authority asked you to do something you found morally wrong? Obedience explores how we respond to commands from those in power.
-Milgram's Obedience Experiment: This famous study shocked the world. Participants believed they were delivering electric shocks to a learner (who was actually an actor) when told to do so by the experimenter (an authority figure). The results showed that a surprising 65% of participants obeyed orders to deliver what they thought were lethal shocks, even when the learner cried out in pain. This experiment highlighted the powerful influence of authority figures.
3. Bystander Effect: The Power of Inaction
Have you ever witnessed someone in need and hesitated to help? The bystander effect explains this phenomenon. The more people present in a situation, the less likely any individual is to help.
-Why does it happen? There are several factors at play:
- Diffusion of Responsibility: We feel less responsible when others are around. We think, "Someone else will help."
- Pluralistic Ignorance: We look to others to gauge the situation. If no one else seems worried, we assume it's not a serious problem.
-The Case of Kitty Genovese: This tragic event highlighted the bystander effect. Kitty was brutally murdered in front of her apartment building, and many witnesses heard her screams but didn't intervene. The study also found that the longer the victim lay on the floor, the less likely passengers were to help.
4. Social Loafing: The Less We Contribute
Have you ever noticed that groups sometimes work less efficiently than individuals? This is due to social loafing – the tendency for individuals to exert less effort when working in a group than when working alone.
-Why does it happen? We might feel less accountable for our efforts in a group and assume others will pick up the slack. We might also feel our individual contribution is less significant.
5. Groupthink: When Consensus Comes at a Cost
Imagine a group making a decision, but instead of considering all options, they rush to a conclusion and silence dissenting opinions. This is groupthink – a phenomenon where a group's desire for harmony overrides its ability to make rational decisions.
-Why does it happen? Groupthink can develop in highly cohesive groups where:
- Pressure to conform is high.
- There's a strong leader with a clear vision.
- Critical thinking is discouraged.
Examples in Real Life:
- Conformity: Following fashion trends, joining a popular club, adopting a popular political view.
- Obedience: Following a teacher's instructions, obeying traffic laws, following a doctor's orders.
- Bystander Effect: Seeing someone being harassed and not intervening, witnessing an accident but not calling for help.
- Social Loafing: Working on a group project and letting others do most of the work.
- Groupthink: A corporate board making a risky investment despite early warning signs.
Understanding Social Influence:
By understanding these social influences, we can become more aware of how they affect us and others. We can make more informed decisions, challenge groupthink, and be more likely to help those in need. Remember: we are social creatures, but we also have the power to break free from conformity and make our own choices.
Bonus Notes
Bystander Intervention: Examining the Dynamics of Helping
1. Social Factors Influencing Bystander Intervention:
The longer a victim lies on the floor, the less likely passengers are to help due to several social factors:
⭐Diffusion of Responsibility: As more people are present, the perceived responsibility to help shifts onto others, leading individuals to assume someone else will act.
⭐Pluralistic Ignorance: Individuals observe others' inaction and misinterpret it as a sign that the situation is not an emergency, leading to inaction by everyone.
⭐Informational Social Influence: Bystanders look to others for cues on how to react. In ambiguous situations, observing others' passivity reinforces the perception that nothing needs to be done.
2. Diffusion of Responsibility and Public Safety:
Diffusion of responsibility significantly hinders bystander intervention. This finding highlights the need for public safety campaigns that:
⭐Emphasize individual responsibility: Promote the message that everyone has a role to play in emergencies, regardless of the presence of others.
⭐Provide clear guidelines: Offer unambiguous instructions on how to intervene safely and effectively.
⭐Foster a sense of community: Encourage mutual support and shared responsibility within communities.
3. Ethical Implications of Bystander Intervention:
Balancing the need for intervention with potential risks and liabilities presents ethical dilemmas:
⭐Risk of harm: Bystanders may face danger when intervening, potentially creating a more complex situation.
⭐Legal consequences: Good Samaritan laws vary, and bystanders may face legal repercussions for their actions.
⭐Balancing societal needs with individual safety: Society benefits from bystander intervention, but we must prioritize individual safety and ensure appropriate legal frameworks.
4. Methodological Limitations and Future Research:
The study's methodology may be limited by:
⭐Artificial environment: Laboratory settings may not accurately capture the complexity of real-world situations.
⭐Limited sample size: Generalizability to diverse populations may be restricted.
⭐Lack of control variables: Other factors like victim characteristics or situational cues could influence results.
⭐Future research should: include diverse populations, realistic scenarios, and control for potential confounding variables.
5. Practical Applications and Promotion Strategies:
The study's findings can be applied to develop strategies that promote bystander intervention:
⭐Training programs: Educate individuals on how to intervene safely and effectively in emergencies.
⭐Public awareness campaigns: Raise awareness about diffusion of responsibility and encourage people to take action.
⭐Social media interventions: Utilize social media to disseminate information and promote bystander intervention.
⭐Bystander intervention programs: Implement programs that focus on empowering individuals to intervene in situations where they witness harm.
By understanding the social factors that influence bystander behavior and implementing effective intervention strategies, we can promote a culture of helping and reduce harm in emergency situations.