Conformity Flashcards
What effect does increased group size have on conformity?
Increased group size increases the likelihood of people to conform
This is supported by studies like those conducted by Asch.
How does task difficulty affect conformity?
People are more likely to conform as task difficulty increases
This suggests that uncertainty in task performance leads to greater reliance on group consensus.
What is the main reason for conformity according to Asch’s studies?
Common agreement among the group
This emphasizes the influence of social pressure on individual decision-making.
Define informational social influence.
Agree with the opinion of the majority because they believe it to be correct
This type of influence leads to internalization of beliefs. (Sherif)
What is normative social influence?
Agreeing with the opinion of the majority to gain social approval and be liked
This often leads to compliance rather than true belief. (Asch)
What is compliance in the context of conformity?
Outwardly going along with the group while privately disagreeing
This behavior usually lasts only as long as the group is monitoring the individual.
What does identification mean in the context of social behavior?
Acting in the same way as a group to be part of it
Don’t necessarily agree with everything majority believes. This can lead to adopting the group’s beliefs temporarily.
What is internalisation in terms of conformity?
Taking on the majority view as correct and maintaining that view in private
This leads to a permanent change in someone’s beliefs.
What is Conformity?
Conformity refers to a change in a persons behaviour based knowledge real or imagined pressure from a group or individual
(Majority Influence)
What was the aim of Asch’s Line Study?
To investigate the degree to which individuals conform to the majority who gave incorrect answers.
How many participants were in Asch’s Line Study?
Participants were tested individually with a group of 6-8 confederates.
What were the results of Asch’s Line Study?
Participants gave wrong answers 36.8% of the time, with 75% conforming at least once and 25% never giving a wrong answer.
What conclusion can be drawn from Asch’s Line Study?
Judgment can be affected by majority opinion even when the answer is obviously wrong.
Normative social influence
What are the evaluation points for Asch’s Line Study?
Participants were deceived, there was no informed consent, and it lacks generalizability due to low external validity.
What was the aim of Sherif’s Auto-kinetic effect study?
To investigate if people are influenced by others in situations where the answer is not clear.
What was the method used in Sherif’s study?
Participants were placed in a totally blacked-out room with a small spot of light and asked to estimate how far the light moved.
What were the findings of Sherif’s study?
In ambiguous situations, individuals look to others for guidance, indicating informational social influence (ISI).
What are the evaluation points for Sherif’s study?
High reliability, no informed consent, and low ecological validity.
What was the aim of Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
To investigate how people conform to their social roles.
What was the setup of Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
Participants were assigned roles as guards or prisoners in a simulated prison environment.
What were the results of Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
Guards became abusive and tyrannical towards prisoners, leading to the study being terminated after 6 days.
What conclusion can be drawn from Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment?
Both guards and prisoners behaved/ conformed according to their assigned social roles.
What are the evaluation points for Zimbardo’s study?
Low ecological validity, ethical issues including protection from psychological stress, deception, and lack of privacy.
Procedure of Zimbardo’s prison experiment
Mock prison
12 prisoners, 12 guards
P unexpectedly arrested, given uniforms, an ID number, rights e.g. 3 meals a day, supervised toilet trips
G: uniforms, clubs, whistles
Planned last 3 weeks
Zimbardo’s acted as Prison Superintendent
