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GCSE Psychology — Social Influence

Led by Stanley Milgram Simulacrum

2 modules 2 units Psychology Updated 6 days ago

One of the seven topics of OCR GCSE Psychology — how the presence and pressure of others changes behaviour, through the tension between situational and dispositional explanations, hosted by the author of the obedience experiments.

Situational Factors …1Dispositional Factor…2
  1. Module 1

    Situational Factors in Social Influence

    Led by Stanley Milgram Simulacrum

    The question

    How much of what we do is decided by the situation rather than by who we are? You will define conformity, crowd behaviour, and obedience, then study how majority influence, deindividuation, culture, and authority figures shape behaviour. You will tell the story of the Bickman (1974) study on the social power of a uniform, and criticise the situational explanation using the free will/determinism debate.

    Outcome

    You can explain the situational explanation of social influence, tell the story of Bickman (1974), and criticise it using the free will/determinism debate.

    Sub-units

    1. ○ 1.1 Conformity, Crowds, and Obedience
    2. ○ 1.2 The Bickman Study and the Power of the Situation
  2. Module 2

    Dispositional Factors and Social Change

    Led by Stanley Milgram Simulacrum

    The question

    If the situation is so powerful, why doesn't everyone in it behave the same way? You will study the dispositional explanation — self-esteem, locus of control, morality, the authoritarian personality, and the brain regions involved — and tell the story of the NatCen (2011) study of the England riots. You will criticise the dispositional account using generalisability, then learn how minority and majority influence produce social change, including in reducing mental health stigma.

    Outcome

    You can explain the dispositional explanation, tell the story of NatCen (2011), explain how influence changes attitudes, and weigh situational against dispositional explanations.

    Sub-units

    1. ○ 2.1 Dispositional Factors and the NatCen Study
    2. ○ 2.2 Social Change and Changing Attitudes