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EnglandPsychology

3.5 Social influence

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

Why do bystanders often fail to help in an emergency?

Bystander behaviour: the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility, and the situational and personal factors that affect whether people help.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Psychology 3.5, covering bystander behaviour, the bystander effect and diffusion of responsibility, and the situational and personal factors that affect whether people help in an emergency.
8 min answer →

Why do people conform to the behaviour of a group?

Conformity: Asch's study of majority influence, the factors affecting conformity (group size, anonymity and task difficulty), and the reasons people conform.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Psychology 3.5, covering conformity, Asch's study of majority influence, the factors affecting conformity (group size, anonymity and task difficulty) and the reasons people conform.
9 min answer →

Why do people obey authority figures even when it causes harm?

Obedience: Milgram's agency theory, the factors affecting obedience (proximity, location and uniform), and dispositional factors such as the authoritarian personality.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Psychology 3.5, covering obedience, Milgram's agency theory, the factors affecting obedience (proximity, location and uniform) and dispositional factors such as the authoritarian personality.
9 min answer →

What makes behaviour prosocial or antisocial?

Prosocial and antisocial behaviour: defining each, the role of deindividuation, and how social factors and the presence of others influence helping and harming behaviour.
A focused answer to AQA GCSE Psychology 3.5, covering prosocial and antisocial behaviour, the role of deindividuation, and how social factors and the presence of others influence helping and harming behaviour.
8 min answer →