What is the difference between obedience and conformity?

Obedience involves following direct orders from an authority figure, whereas conformity is adjusting one's behaviour to match the norms of a group, often due to peer pressure. For example, Milgram's study measured obedience (complying with the experimenter), while Asch's line judgment task measured conformity (going along with the group). Both are forms of social influence but differ in the source of pressure.

Why did Milgram's participants continue to shock despite seeming distressed?

Milgram identified several factors: the authority figure was perceived as legitimate, participants felt a sense of commitment to the experimenter, and they were gradually desensitised to the shocks (foot-in-the-door technique). Additionally, the presence of a buffer (the learner was in another room) reduced empathy. These situational factors overwhelmed participants' personal morals.

How can prejudice be reduced according to social psychology?

The contact hypothesis suggests that prejudice can be reduced through positive interaction between groups under certain conditions: equal status, common goals, intergroup cooperation, and institutional support. Sherif's Robbers Cave study demonstrated this by introducing superordinate goals (e.g., fixing a broken water supply) that required cooperation between rival groups, which reduced hostility.

What are the ethical issues with Milgram's obedience study?

Milgram's study raised serious ethical concerns: participants were deceived about the true purpose (they thought it was a memory test), they experienced severe psychological distress (sweating, trembling, seizures), and they were not fully debriefed until after the study. However, Milgram argued that the findings justified the methods, and later surveys showed most participants did not regret taking part.

What is the authoritarian personality and how does it relate to obedience?

The authoritarian personality is a dispositional trait characterised by submission to authority, aggression toward out-groups, and rigid thinking. Adorno et al. (1950) found that people with this personality are more likely to obey authority and hold prejudiced views. However, this explanation has been criticised for being too individualistic and ignoring situational factors, as Milgram's situational explanation often better accounts for obedience.

How does social identity theory explain prejudice?

Social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) proposes that people categorise themselves and others into groups (in-group and out-group). To boost self-esteem, they favour their own group and discriminate against the out-group. This was shown in Tajfel's minimal group experiments, where arbitrary group assignments (e.g., based on painting preferences) led to in-group bias. Prejudice arises from this need for positive social identity.

Topic 1: Social psychology

EDEXCEL

A-Level

Biological psychology focuses on the mechanisms within the body and how they affect human behaviour, with a specific emphasis on aggression. It explores the central nervous system, neurotransmitters, brain structure, evolution, and hormones as explanations for behaviour, while considering individual differences and developmental factors.

Objectives

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Key Terms

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Topic Overview

Social psychology explores how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. In Edexcel A-Level Psychology, Topic 1 covers key areas such as obedience, prejudice, and group processes. You will study classic studies like Milgram's obedience experiment and Sherif's Robbers Cave, alongside contemporary research and real-world applications. Understanding social psychology is crucial because it explains phenomena like conformity in peer pressure, obedience to authority, and the roots of discrimination—issues that affect everyday life and society at large.

This topic is divided into two main sections: classic studies and contemporary debates. You'll examine how social psychologists have investigated obedience (e.g., Milgram, 1963) and prejudice (e.g., Sherif et al., 1954/1961). The contemporary debates focus on issues such as whether obedience is a product of disposition or situation, and how prejudice can be reduced through contact. Social psychology also links to other topics in the course, such as biological explanations of behaviour (e.g., the role of oxytocin in group bonding) and individual differences (e.g., authoritarian personality). Mastering this topic will help you critically evaluate research methods and ethical considerations, which are essential for your exams and beyond.

Why does social psychology matter? It provides insights into historical atrocities (e.g., the Holocaust) and modern issues like online echo chambers and political polarisation. By studying this topic, you'll develop a deeper understanding of human nature and the power of social situations. You'll also learn to apply psychological principles to improve intergroup relations and resist harmful social influences. For your A-Level, you'll need to recall key studies, evaluate their strengths and limitations, and discuss their implications for society. This foundation will serve you well in both exams and future studies in psychology.

Key Concepts

Core ideas you must understand for this topic

→Obedience: Complying with the demands of an authority figure, often against one's own conscience. Milgram's study showed that 65% of participants administered the highest shock (450V) under pressure from an experimenter.
→Prejudice: A negative attitude toward a group and its members. Sherif's Robbers Cave experiment demonstrated how competition between groups leads to prejudice, which can be reduced through superordinate goals.
→Social identity theory: Tajfel's theory that people derive part of their self-concept from group membership, leading to in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination. This explains minimal group paradigm findings.
→Situational vs. dispositional explanations: The debate over whether behaviour is caused by external factors (e.g., authority pressure) or internal traits (e.g., authoritarian personality). Milgram's findings support situational factors, while Adorno's research highlights dispositional factors.
→Ethical issues in social psychology: Key concerns include deception, psychological harm, and lack of informed consent. Milgram's study caused severe distress, leading to stricter ethical guidelines in research.

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Structure and role of the neuron, neurotransmitters, and synaptic transmission
Effect of recreational drugs on CNS transmission
Brain structure and functioning (e.g., pre-frontal cortex) as an explanation for aggression
Role of evolution and natural selection in human behaviour/aggression
Biological explanation of aggression vs. Freud's psychodynamic explanation (id, ego, superego, unconscious, catharsis)
Role of hormones (e.g., testosterone) in aggression
Correlational research methods (co-variables, scatter diagrams, cause and effect issues)
Brain-scanning techniques (CAT, PET, fMRI)

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Structure and role of the neuron, neurotransmitters, and synaptic transmission
Effect of recreational drugs on CNS transmission
Brain structure and functioning (e.g., pre-frontal cortex) as an explanation for aggression
Role of evolution and natural selection in human behaviour/aggression
Biological explanation of aggression vs. Freud's psychodynamic explanation (id, ego, superego, unconscious, catharsis)
Role of hormones (e.g., testosterone) in aggression
Correlational research methods (co-variables, scatter diagrams, cause and effect issues)
Brain-scanning techniques (CAT, PET, fMRI)
Twin and adoption studies
Raine et al. (1997) classic study
Contemporary studies: Li et al. (2013), Brendgen et al. (2005), Van den Oever et al. (2008)

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡Ensure you can apply inferential statistical tests (Spearman's rho) to correlational data
💡Be prepared to discuss issues and debates (e.g., ethics, reductionism, nature-nurture) specifically within the context of biological psychology
💡Practice evaluating the validity and reliability of brain-scanning techniques
💡Ensure you can link biological theories to the specific contemporary studies listed in the specification
💡Be ready to discuss the implications of biological findings for society (e.g., social control, drug therapy)
💡When evaluating studies, always consider both methodological strengths (e.g., Milgram's standardised procedure) and limitations (e.g., lack of ecological validity). Use the GRAVE acronym: Generalisability, Reliability, Application, Validity, Ethics.
💡For essay questions, structure your answer using the 'describe, explain, evaluate' framework. Start by describing the study or theory, then explain its findings, and finally evaluate its strengths and weaknesses with reference to alternative explanations.
💡Use real-world examples to support your points. For instance, when discussing obedience, refer to the My Lai massacre or the Abu Ghraib scandal. This shows the examiner you can apply psychological concepts to authentic situations.

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing correlation with causation in correlational research
Failing to address the specific requirements of the practical investigation (e.g., Spearman's rho, descriptive statistics)
Over-simplifying biological explanations (reductionism)
Inadequate evaluation of brain-scanning techniques
Misunderstanding the distinction between biological and psychodynamic explanations for aggression
Misconception: Milgram's study proves that people are naturally obedient. Correction: Milgram's findings show that obedience is heavily influenced by situational factors (e.g., proximity of authority, presence of dissenters). Not everyone obeyed; 35% refused to continue, suggesting individual differences matter.
Misconception: Prejudice is always caused by personality disorders like the authoritarian personality. Correction: While dispositional factors play a role, situational factors (e.g., competition for resources, social norms) are often more powerful. Sherif's Robbers Cave showed that prejudice can arise from realistic conflict without any personality flaws.
Misconception: Social psychology experiments are unethical and should not be replicated. Correction: While some classic studies had ethical issues, modern replications follow strict ethical guidelines (e.g., Burger's 2009 partial replication of Milgram). These studies provide valuable insights while minimising harm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions students ask about this topic

Before You Start

Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

•Basic understanding of research methods (e.g., experimental design, sampling, ethical guidelines) is essential, as social psychology relies heavily on lab experiments and field studies.
•Familiarity with key psychological approaches (e.g., behaviourist, cognitive) helps in evaluating social psychological theories from different perspectives.
•Knowledge of individual differences (e.g., personality traits) is useful for understanding dispositional explanations of obedience and prejudice.

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Practice questions tailored to this topic

Topic 1: Social psychology

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL A-Level Psychology

E2E stub topic

Topic 2: Cognitive psychology

Topic 3: Biological psychology

Topic 4: Learning theories

How to Revise Topic 1: Social psychology — Edexcel A-Level Psychology

Examiner Tips for Topic 1: Social psychology

Common Mistakes in Topic 1: Social psychology

Key Marking Points

Topic 1: Social psychology

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between obedience and conformity?

Why did Milgram's participants continue to shock despite seeming distressed?

How can prejudice be reduced according to social psychology?

What are the ethical issues with Milgram's obedience study?

What is the authoritarian personality and how does it relate to obedience?

How does social identity theory explain prejudice?

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in EDEXCEL A-Level Psychology

E2E stub topic

Topic 2: Cognitive psychology

Topic 3: Biological psychology

Topic 4: Learning theories