Conformity and Obedience Flashcards
What is the definition of Conformity and why we conform?
Conformity is a widespread tendency to act and think like the people around. We usually conform for two reasons: first we conform because we concern about what other people think of us and second, we conform because other people often have information we do not and relying on norms can be a reasonable strategy when we are uncertain about how we are supposed to act.
what is normative influence? Give an example.
Normative influence is conformity that results from a concern for what other people think of us. As people don’t want to look different or become the target of criticism, they go along with the crowd because they are concerned about what others think of them.
Why conformity is found more in collective countries than in individualistic ones?
Because people who live in collectivist cultures place a higher value on the goals of the group than on individual preferences. They also are more motivated to maintain harmony in their interpersonal relations.
What is informational influence?
this is when we use people to help us get information on what to do. Especially in new situations, if we look to others we might use descriptive norms (the way most people are acting).
What is Obedience? give example
- Sometimes we are directed by a more powerful person to do things we may not want to do. Ex: We are taught at an early age to obey parents, teachers, and police officers etc.
What is the dark side to obedience?
In the name of “following orders” or “just doing my job,” people can violate ethical principles and break laws. In addition, obedience often is at the heart of some of the worst of human behavior such as massacres, atrocities, and even genocide.
What the findings of Milgram experiment show us?
It show us that under the right circumstances, each of us may be capable of acting in some very uncharacteristic and perhaps some very unsettling ways.
What are the reasons why humans conform?
We usually conform because:
- humans may possess an inherent tendency to imitate the actions of others.
- we conform because we concern about what other people think of us
- we conform because other people often have information we do not and relying on norms can be a reasonable strategy when we are uncertain about how we are supposed to act.
Define people in authority .
People in authority can mean anyone who has state authority e.g. police, government, military, but also people who are wiser, older, or in positions of power e.g. parents, elders, teachers, doctors…
