Conformity

Question 1

Conformity

Answer 1

when people change their behavior due to the real or imagined influence of others

Question 2

Informational Influence

Answer 2

accepting information from others about what to believe or how to behave. We do not know what to do, so we look to others
Conforming in response to informational influence leas to “private acceptance”: both acting and believing in accord with social influence.

Question 3

Public Compliance

Answer 3

Normative Influence: conforming to “fit in”—live up to others’ expectations; gain acceptance and avoid rejection. Leads to “public acceptance”—publicly acting in accord with social influence, but NOT private acceptance

Question 4

Private Acceptance

Answer 4

even when alone, and when asked one year later, participants make the same estimates. They came to believe what the group believed.

Question 5

Autokinetic Study

Answer 5

Ps estimate distance of a pinpoint of light from a focal point. First while alone, then in a group
Ps had to make decisions out loud in front of the group then and by trial 3 they came to the same decision
100% conformity: all Ps change their estimates when in group

Question 6

Normative Influence

Answer 6

conforming to “fit in”—live up to others’ expectations; gain acceptance and avoid rejection
Leads to “public acceptance”—publicly acting in accord with social influence, but NOT private acceptance

Question 7

Line Judgment Study

Answer 7

Hypothesis: even when presented with an unambiguous stimulus, people will conform in order to avoid standing out
Real Ps are placed in groups with 6 confederates
By round 3 confederates began to give incorrect responses
76% conformed at least once
over all trials 37%

Question 8

Situational Factors influencing power of normative influence: number

Answer 8

Number—how many people are in the group? More people = more conformity, but only up to 5 people (5 is as powerful as 15)

Question 9

Situational Factors influencing power of normative influence: unanimity

Answer 9

Unanimity—do you have an ally? In Asch study, 1 disagrees, conformity drops to 9%

Question 10

Situational Factors influencing power of normative influence

Answer 10

Normative…no private acceptance, we know what the correct answer is
With informational influence, people privately accept what they are conforming to
With normative influence, people publicly conform but do not privately conform. People go along with the group even if they do not believe in what they are doing or think it’s wrong
Situational factors that increase the power of normative influence