7B - Obedience and Conformity Flashcards
Obedience
Obedience occurs when we follow the commands of someone with authority, or the rules or laws of our society
Status of authority figure
If the person giving the order is a figure of authority or is perceived to have a high status, the order/command is more likely to be obeyed
Authority figure status is often conveyed through symbols and uniforms
Physical proximity
Physical proximity refers to the physical distance between two people.
The less physical distance, the greater the likelihood of obedience
Relationship proximity
Relationship proximity refers to the closeness of the relationship between two people.
The closer the relationship between two people, the greater the likelihood of obedience
Group pressure
Individuals are more likely to obey authority when they observe others obeying the command
Factors affecting obedience during Milgrams experiment
Status of Authority Figure: experimenter presented many symbols of authority that could’ve increased obedience. (Grey lab coat and where the experiment took place, Yale University)
Proximity: Studies showed participants were less likely to obey commands of the experimenter when instructions were given over the phone vs face to face. Replications also show that participant was less likely to be obedient when they ere physically close to the student.
Group Pressure: replications of the study exposed the participants to different group environments.
Ethics of Milgrams study
Deception: all patients were lead to believe they were shocking a real person – they were unaware the student was a confederate. Milgrim debriefed all participants.
Harm: participants were exposed to very stressful situations that had the potential to cause psychological harm. Many participants were distressed.
Withdrawal rights: the experimenter discouraged withdrawal from the experiment
Conformity
Conformity occurs in situations when individuals change their behaviour as a result of real or implied pressure from others
Social norms
Social norms are society’s unofficial rules and expectations regarding how individuals should act
Group think
A psychological phenomenon in which assumed group unanimity overrules individuals’ realistic appraisal of consequences
Group shift
Refers to a condition in which the influence of the group causes an individual to adopt a more extreme position. The more influential a group is, the greater the chance of conformity
Deindividuation
Refers to the tendency for individuals to lose their sense of identity and individuality within a group
Factors affecting conformity in Asch’s study
Group size: likelihood to conform increases as the group size increased, but only up to a group of 4
Unanimity: found that having just one confederate not act unanimously in the group, significantly decreased the participants conformity
Ethics of Asch’s study
Deception/debrief: deception was used and a debrief did occur outlining the true nature of the experiment
Withdrawal rights: were not offered the right to leave
