Chapter 6 - Comformity Flashcards
define conformity
tendecny to cahnge perceptions, opinion, or behaviuors in ways that are consistent with group norms
what are the 2 main studies to show conformity?
sheriff’s autokinetic effect study: estimate how much a light moved, when it didn’t. will conform with others to have closer answers when surrounded by them. Because it’s hard to know the real answer, you’re more likely to shirt to be the same as others when they seem more confident/right. INFORMATIVE and PRIVATE
asch’s line study: comparing a set of lines and determining which one was the same. 75% of people conformed at least once when other people gave the wrong answer, even when the right one was very clear. people will still know that their answer is right but in the social eye, they want to be liked so they conform to look consistent with others. NORMATIVE and PUBLIC
define social norms
rules ro guidelines in a group or culture about behaviours that are proper and improper
-dressing like everyone
- standing for national anthem
-waiting in lines
what are the 2 reasons why people conform?
informative influence: to be right
- we believe that others are right
- private change in overt behaviours and beliefs (genuinely think they’re right)
normative influence: to be liked
- we fear the consequences of appearing unusual from normal people
- public superficial change in overt behaviour (you know you are right, but just change what you say so you are liked)
- going along with the crowd
what are some factors that make people conform?
- group size: 2-5 (people have a big effect) vs 5-10
- unanimity: majority vs 1 nonconformist (person that goes agaisnt everyone
- cohesion: ingroup (family) vs. outgroup (strangers)
- status: seeing value in the group
- public response: say (more likely to conform) vs write belief (will keep out original thoughts)
- prior commitment: more likely to stick with previously made public statements even if you don’t believe them
- culture: tight vs loose
explain what tight and loose cultures are
tight: strong norms, all wanting to be the same, strong shared values (South Asian countries)
loose: few rules, high diversity, weaker shared values, tend to be more tolerant of deviations from norms (North America)
examples: PDA and dress codes in schools
how are attitudes contagious?
we can use things like laugh tracks, professionals audiences, and political debates to sway peoples opinions and get them to conform with the people around them.
define obedience
acting in accord with a direct order (someone is directly telling you to do something, either do it or not)
ex. people coming up to you and asking you to write pickle in a library book for a prank
-external influences are strong
- fundamental attribution error (people wrongly attribute behaviour as they underestimate power of situation)
define reactance
motive to protect one’s sense of freedom
define mimicry
very subtle, non-consciuos forms of conformity. taking on speec patters and mannerism of one’s interaction partner.
ex. participant seeing other person shake their foot during their convo, more likely to shake their own foot later on in the convo
when people mimic us:
- tend to like them more
- think the interaction went better
- more likely to help them
define compliance
conformity that involves publicly acting in accord with social pressure while privately disagreeing
define acceptance
conformity tat involves both acting and beleiving, in accord with social pressure
