Theories of Social Influence: Conformity & Obedience MCQs is a central subject of study for CSS Competitive Exam students who want to learn about social pressure and authority’s influence on human behavior. Conformity is when one changes their attitudes or behavior in order to align with the norm of the group, whereas obedience is obeying explicit orders by authority. Learning about historical experiments, psychological theory, and actual-world consequences of social influence is necessary for preparation of the CSS exam.
H2: Conformity and Psychology
Conformity is an inherent element of social conduct and can be explained by:
Asch’s Conformity Experiment (1951): Established that people conform to group belief, even when it is false.
Normative Social Influence: People conform for social acceptance and fear of rejection.
Informational Social Influence: People conform due to the assumption that others possess accurate information.
Variables Influencing Conformity: Group size, unanimity, confidence, and cultural background affect the chances of conformity.
Understanding conformity can account for peer pressure, social trends, and group decisions. The MCQs on the CSS exam test knowledge about how people adapt their behaviors in response to social expectations.
H3: Obedience & Authority in Social Influence
Obedience entails following direct instructions from an authority. Major theories are:
Milgram’s Obedience Experiment (1963): Discovered that people obey authoritative instructions, even when these go against personal ethics.
The Agentic State Theory: Individuals comply when they position themselves as agents of power, deflecting blame.
Legitimacy of Authority: Greater obedience is present when the person of authority is seen as credible and powerful.
Social Impact Theory: Obedience is a function of the strength, immediacy, and number of authorities.
Obedience is involved in military discipline, organizational hierarchy, and historical events such as the Holocaust. The MDCAT Quiz website offers free flashcards and MCQs to assist CSS aspirants in learning important concepts in social influence, peer pressure, and obedience psychology. Study with CSS MCQs to learn how people react to authority and group pressure in various social situations.
