Conformity Flashcards
Mesmerism
Comes from a guy named mesmer who cured women of their hysteria with magnets and iron drinks
Social norms
Rules or guidelines in a group or culture about what behaviors are proper and improper
Conformity
People changing their perceptions, opinions, behavior to be consistent with group norms
Reasons for conformity
- Information influence: Conformity to be correct, to get agreement from others
- Normative influence: People conform because they fear consequences of appearing deviant/being excluded (HOA)
Asch conformity study
People agree with obviously wrong answers if everyone before them does the same
Private conformity
True acceptance or conversion, complete persuasion of a belief
Public conformity
Public agreement despite differing belief. (pro-life politicians wanting their wife to get an abortion)
Reasons for conformity
- One cares about others’ opinions and obviously stands out
- An activity is clear/unambiguous and participants want to be accepted
Sherif Autokinetic effect study
Participants alone in a dark room were asked how much the light moved. Participants placed in groups and asked again. Varied answers when alone, one answer when together. People conform in groups when unsure
When conformity happens
- Groups with >4 people are the most likely to sway someone. (Chance increases from 1-4 extra people)
- Strength of norms (more likely to litter in littered area)
- Different genders, depending on the topic (sports/war video games vs fashion/birth control)
- Conformity less likely when at least one person shares your opinion
Langer compliance study
When asking to use a photocopier, any sort of explanation/rationale provided (no matter how silly) raises chances of other people to comply. Fulfilling of a social script boosts compliance.
Norm of reciprocity
If given something, we feel compelled to give back. People don’t want to owe others.
Sequential request strategies
- Foot in the door: Small initial request that targets can’t easily refuse, more likely to accept larger later requests
- Door in the face: Initial high/unreasonable request. Second appears reasonable by comparison
- Low balling: After an agreement is met, request is made slightly more demanding
- That’s not all: offering a price and immediately discounting it
Obedience
Compliance to request coming from authority figure (keeps us safe?)
Hofling obedience experiment
Asked 22 nurses to give overdose of astroten, though they did not know the doctor, and they were not approved to use the medication. 21 obliged.
Milgram obedience studies
- Administer shocks to people. Most likely to obey if:
- The experimenter assured them of the importance
- Someone was in the room at all
- Participants felt safe/unthreatened
- Participants believed those being shocked were willing participants
Three factors of obedience
- Distance: physical presence raised compliance. Emotional/social closeness also raised compliance
- Legitimacy: People are listened to if they look important
- Institutional prestige: Higher cause encourages people to participate
Social impact theory
Social influence impacted by:
- Strength of source: authority/status
- Distance: proximity in space/time
- Number: how many sources
