SOCIAL INFLUENCE QUESTIONS

Written By Rebecca Sylvia
social influence questions

lSOCIAL INFLUENCE – STARTER ACTIVITY

SECTION A – RECALL QUESTIONS

  1. Define social influence.

  2. Name the three types of social influence.

  3. Explain briefly how social influence differs from majority influence.

  4. Give one everyday example of social influence (e.g. at school, work, or online).

SECTION B – TYPES OF CONFORMITY (MULTIPLE CHOICE)

1. Which of the following best describes compliance?
A. Publicly agreeing while privately disagreeing.
B. Changing your private beliefs permanently.
C. Following an order from an authority figure.
D. Acting like a group because you admire it.

2. Identification occurs when someone:
A. Copies a group’s behaviour only when being watched.
B. Adopts attitudes and behaviour to fit a valued group or role.
C. Genuinely accepts new beliefs as true.
D. Rejects the group’s influence altogether.

3. Internalisation is:
A. Temporary and superficial change.
B. Adopting a group’s behaviour to belong.
C. Deep and permanent acceptance of beliefs.
D. Following direct orders from authority.

SECTION C – CONFORMITY: ODD ONE OUT

  1. Compliance – Identification – Internalisation – Obedience
    Odd one out: Obedience → not a type of conformity; it’s a separate form of social influence.

  2. Public agreement – Private disagreement – Genuine acceptance – Surface change
    Odd one out: Genuine acceptance → belongs to internalisation, not compliance.

SECTION D – NSI AND ISI (DEFINITIONS + MULTIPLE CHOICE)

Definitions (Match-Up)

  • Normative Social Influence (NSI): Conforming to be liked or accepted by others.

  • Informational Social Influence (ISI): Conforming because you believe others know better or have more information.

Multiple Choice

  1. NSI is most likely when:
    A. We want to avoid rejection or gain approval.
    B. The situation is ambiguous.
    C. The task is difficult.
    D. We believe others have better information.
    (Answer = A)

  2. ISI is most likely when:
    A. The task is difficult or unclear.
    B. We want to fit in socially.
    C. We fear embarrassment.
    D. Group approval is important.
    (Answer = A)

  3. Odd One Out – Which fits ISI, not NSI?
    Desire for approval – Ambiguous task – Fear of rejection
    Odd one out: Ambiguous task → linked to informational, not normative, influence.

rjs@whitgift.co.uk

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Rebecca Sylvia

I am a Londoner with over 30 years of experience teaching psychology at A-Level, IB, and undergraduate levels. Throughout my career, I’ve taught in more than 40 establishments across the UK and internationally, including Spain, Lithuania, and Cyprus. My teaching has been consistently recognised for its high success rates, and I’ve also worked as a consultant in education, supporting institutions in delivering exceptional psychology programmes.

I’ve written various psychology materials and articles, focusing on making complex concepts accessible to students and educators. In addition to teaching, I’ve published peer-reviewed research in the field of eating disorders.

My career began after earning a degree in Psychology and a master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience. Over the years, I’ve combined my academic foundation with hands-on teaching and leadership roles, including serving as Head of Social Sciences.

Outside of my professional life, I have two children and enjoy a variety of interests, including skiing, hiking, playing backgammon, and podcasting. These pursuits keep me curious, active, and grounded—qualities I bring into my teaching and consultancy work. My personal and professional goals include inspiring curiosity about human behaviour, supporting educators, and helping students achieve their full potential.

https://psychstory.co.uk
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