Conformity and Obedience Flashcards
conformity
a form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position
a form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position
conformity
Zimbardo et all (1995) description of conformity
a tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes, and values of other members of a reference group
a tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes, and values of other members of a reference group
Zimbardo et all (1995) description of conformity
group
a collection of people who share a common identity
a collection of people who share a common identity
group
group norm
informal ‘rules’ that everyone in a group will follow
might be implicit or could be explicit
informal ‘rules’ that everyone in a group will follow
might be implicit or could be explicit
group norm
example of a group norm
wearing a uniform
what is an wearing a uniform an example of
a group norm
Kelman (1995) level of conformity
compliance
identification
internalisation
compliance
identification
internalisation
Kelman (1995) level of conformity
compliance
lowest level of conformity
conforming to the majority opinion/behaviour in public but privately maintaining your own attitudes
eg. laughing at a joke you dont find funny
lowest level of conformity
conforming to the majority opinion/behaviour in public but privately maintaining your own attitudes
eg. laughing at a joke you dont find funny
compliance
identification
a deeper form of conformity
an individual takes on the majority beliefs/behaviours both publicly and privately
may only be temporary, not maintained when the individual leaves the group.
eg. a person joining a new football club when they move town
a deeper form of conformity
an individual takes on the majority beliefs/behaviours both publicly and privately
may only be temporary, not maintained when the individual leaves the group.
eg. a person joining a new football club when they move town
identification
internalisation aka conversion
the deepest level of conformity
the beliefs of a group are taken on and become a permanent part of that person’s world view
e.g vegeterianism
the deepest level of conformity
the beliefs of a group are taken on and become a permanent part of that person’s world view
e.g vegetarianism
internalisation aka conversion
least effective form of social pressure
compliance, only outward behaviour is affected
most effective form of social pressure
internalisation, gives us support and confirms our “rightness”
when would someone preform in a particular way because of compliance
if they are in the company of the group
behaviour identification
people compare their behaviour to that of others in a group, and try to figure out what the social forms are
people compare their behaviour to that of others in a group, and try to figure out what the social forms are
behaviour identification
aim of Asch (1951)
To find out if people will conform to group pressure when they do know the correct answer
To find out if people will conform to group pressure when they do know the correct answer
aim of Asch (1951)
Method of Asch (1951)
Participants in a room to do an ‘eye test’
Asked to judge the length of a line in a room of other ‘participants’
All participants but one were actors
The real participant went last to see if they conform
Participants in a room to do an ‘eye test’
Asked to judge the length of a line in a room of other ‘participants’
All participants but one were actors
The real participant went last to see if they conform
Method of Asch (1951)
What year was Asch
1951
What study on conformity relating to eye tests was conducted in 1951
Asch 1951
Results of Asch (1951)
Conformity happened 1/3 (37%) of the time
75% of participants conformed at least once
Conformity happened 1/3 (37%) of the time
75% of participants conformed at least once
Results of Asch (1951)
Positive evaluation of Asch (1951)
Provided very clear evidence that a group can influence our behaviour - even strangers
A huge influential study which has been supported by many similar research studies
Showed some people may be more susceptible to social pressure
Provided very clear evidence that a group can influence our behaviour - even strangers
A huge influential study which has been supported by many similar research studies
Showed some people may be more susceptible to social pressure
Positive evaluation of Asch (1951)
Lacked ecological validity because it was done in a artificial environment, lab experiment
Task lacked mundane realism, real life situations not as simple or clear cut
May be because of the 1950s American culture (McCarthyism), promoted conformity. Results don’t reflect all social behaviour.
Participants not protected from psychological harm; participants were deceived and many have experienced some stress
All participants were male and in the same age group. Results can’t be generalised to women
Negative evaluation of Asch (1951)
Perrin and Spencer
Replicated Asch (1951) in the uk with engineering students
Found much lower levels of conformity
Replicated Asch (1951) in the uk with engineering students
Found much lower levels of conformity
Perrin and Spencer
Negative evaluation of Asch 1951
Lacked ecological validity because it was done in a artificial environment, lab experiment
Task lacked mundane realism, real life situations not as simple or clear cut
May be because of the 1950s American culture (McCarthyism), promoted conformity. Results don’t reflect all social behaviour.
Participants not protected from psychological harm; participants were deceived and many have experienced some stress
All participants were male and in the same age group. Results can’t be generalised to women
Year of mori and arai
2010
Conformity experiment in 2010
Mori and arai
Negative evaluation of M&A
Conducted in Japan, cannot be generalised to other cultures. Japan is collectivist, more likely to conform unlike individualist cultures, such as the UK
Low ecological validity. Not a task that occurs in everyday life, highly artificial environment.
Alana is percentage of the participants were psychology students and could’ve been aware of Asch’s study. This could’ve affected the results as participants could know what researchers were looking for.
Some deception, participants are told glasses were to protect from the glare. Unethical, informed consent was impossible.
Conducted in Japan, cannot be generalised to other cultures. Japan is collectivist, more likely to conform unlike individualist cultures, such as the UK
Low ecological validity. Not a task that occurs in everyday life, highly artificial environment.
Alana is percentage of the participants were psychology students and could’ve been aware of Asch’s study. This could’ve affected the results as participants could know what researchers were looking for.
Some deception, participants are told glasses were to protect from the glare. Unethical, informed consent was impossible.
Negative evaluation off M&A
Mori and Arai 2010
A study of conformity without the need for confederates
A study of conformity without the need for confederates
Mori and Arai
Aims of Mori and Arai
To replicate and improve upon Aschs study.
To find out if similar results to Aschs study could be obtained without using confederates.
To find out if gender or culture made any difference to overall results.
To replicate and improve upon Aschs study.
To find out if similar results to Aschs study could be obtained without using confederates.
To find out if gender or culture made any difference to overall results.
Aim of Mori and Arai
Participants of Mori and Arai 2010
104 Japanese undergraduate participants who knew each other
40 men
64 women
104 Japanese undergraduate participants who knew each other
40 men
64 women
Participants of Mori and Arai 2010
Method of Mori and Arai 2010
F Mori technique used. Participants were filter classes that allowed them to watch the same video but see different things.
All participants had normal eyesight.
Several groups of four, one participant in each group given different glasses. Therefore they saw a different line in the rest of the group
Participants with the different glasses went third.
Answers were stated out loud.
At the end of the experiment, a questionnaire was used. I asked if they had anything to add, and if they were confident in their judgement of the length of lines.
F Mori technique used. Participants were filter classes that allowed them to watch the same video but see different things.
All participants had normal eyesight.
Several groups of four, one participant in each group given different glasses. Therefore they saw a different line in the rest of the group
Participants with the different glasses went third.
Answers were stated out loud.
At the end of the experiment, a questionnaire was used. I asked if they had anything to add, and if they were confident in their judgement of the length of lines.
Method of M&A
Results of Mori and Arai 2010
For women only, findings matched Ashes research. Woman conformed 1/3 of the time
Male participants did not conform
For women only, findings matched Ashes research. Woman conformed 25% of the time
Male participants did not conform
Results of M&A
Conclusion of Mori and Arai 2010
Showed similar conformity patterns to ash in 1951, but found no conformity among men.
Cultural differences and generational changes could be why men didn’t conform.
Showed similar conformity patterns to ash in 1951, but found no conformity among men.
Cultural differences and generational changes could be why men didn’t conform.
Conclusion of M&A
Positive evaluation of Mori and Arai 2010
Included men and women, easier to generalise results to the population.
The people knew each other, higher ecological validity as we usually conform around people we know.
Using filtered glasses required less deception than ashes study, more ethical.
Included men and women, easier to generalise results to the population.
The people knew each other, higher ecological validity as we usually conform around people we know.
Using filtered glasses required less deception than ashes study, more ethical.
Positive evaluation of M&A
5 factors affecting conformity
Informational social influence
Normative social influence
Individual factors (gender, self esteem)
Situational factors (group size, group unanimity, task difficult)
Cultural factors (collectivist, individualist)
Informational social influence
Normative social influence
Individual factors (gender, self esteem)
Situational factors (group size, group unanimity, task difficult)
Cultural factors (collectivist, individualist)
5 factors affecting conformity
Informational social influence
Believing the majority is right
Considering other peoples views to be valid and reliable
Believing the majority is right
Considering other peoples views to be valid and reliable
Informal social influence
What could informational social influence because of
Because we are unsure of how to behave or what is correct
Or
Believe others have more experience/expertise than us
What happens because we are unsure of how to behave or what is correct
Or
Believe others have more experience/expertise than us
Informal social influence
Why does informational influence motivate us to conform
Because we want to be right
What social influence did Asch research
Normative social influence
Why does normative social influence happen
We want to gain approval from others
What happens because we want to gain approval from others
Normative social influence
Normative social influence
We know what the correct behaviour/belief is, but feel pressure from the group
AND
go along with it to be accepted
We know what the correct behaviour/belief is, but feel pressure from the group
AND
go along with it to be accepted
Normative social influence
How does normative social influence motivate us to conform
We want to be liked
Aim of Jenness 1932
To find out if conferring with a group will cause people to change their answers
To find out if conferring with a group will cause people to change their answers
Aim of jenness 1932
Jenness year
1932
Jenness 1932 method
Students asked to guess how many beans in a jar.
Participants were put into groups of 3 and asked to discuss the number and give a group estimate
Students asked to guess how many beans in a jar.
Participants were put into groups of 3 and asked to discuss the number and give a group estimate
Jenness method
Jenness findings
Individual estimates tended to converge to a group norm
Individual estimates tended to converge to a group norm
Jenness findings
Jenness conclusion
In an ambiguous situation, people look to others for ideas on a reasonable answer
Despite there being no reason to believe the group is more accurate than yourself
In an ambiguous situation, people look to others for ideas on a reasonable answer
Despite there being no reason to believe the group is more accurate than yourself
Conclusion of Jenness 1932
Sherif 1935 aim
To find out if conferring with a group will cause people to change their answers
To find out if conferring with a group will cause people to change their answers
Sherif 1935 aim
Sherif year
1935
Sheriff 1935 method
Use the autokinetic affect, an illusion that a stationary point of light appears to move in a dark room
Told participants he was going to move the light, they had to estimate how far the light moved
Participants were tested individually and there are answers fluctuated, but settled down. There was a wide difference between participant estimates.
Next the participants heard the estimates of two others that had given quite different estimates. after, the participants were asked to provide individual answers
Use the autokinetic affect, an illusion that a stationary point of light appears to move in a dark room
Told participants he was going to move the light, they had to estimate how far the light moved
Participants were tested individually and there are answers fluctuated, but settled down. There was a wide difference between participant estimates.
Next the participants heard the estimates of two others that had given quite different estimates. after, the participants were asked to provide individual answers
Sheriff method
Sherif 1935 results
A group norm emerged,
Estimate became similar to the ones they had heard
Answers had converged/came closer
A group norm emerged,
Estimate became similar to the ones they had heard
Answers had converged/came closer
Sherif 1935 results
Sherif 1935 conclusion
In ambiguous situations where we are unsure of the correct answer, we conform to the group norm
In ambiguous situations where we are unsure of the correct answer, we conform to the group norm
Sherif 1935 conclusion
Sherif 1935 evaluation
Prompted many others to see if they could measure the phenomenon
Prompted many others to see if they could measure the phenomenon
Sherif 1935 evaluation
Individual factors affecting conformity
Gender
Age
Self esteem
Gender
Age
Self esteem
Individual factors affecting conformity
Women are ____ likely to conform than _____
Women are more likely to conform than men
Why do women conform more than men
They take on the role of promoting group harmony
M&a findings on gender affecting conformity
Women 33% more likely to conform than men
Women 33% more likely to conform than men
Supporting gender affecting conformity
People in low self esteem are ______ _______ to conform
People in low self esteem are more likely to conform
Why do people in low self esteem conform more
Fearful of rejection from the group
Research for self esteem affecting conformity
Santee and Maslach (1982)
People who have higher self esteem were less likely to conform
Santee and Maslach (1982)
People who have higher self esteem were less likely to conform
People who have higher self esteem were less likely to conform
Santee and Maslach 1982
People who like to be in control are ___ ______ to conform
People who like to be in control are less likely to conform
Why are people who like control less likely to conform
Their personality trait isn’t compatible with it
Situational factors that affect conformity
Group size
Group unamity
Task difficulty
Group size
Group unamity
Task difficulty
Situational factors affecting conformity
Increasing the group size, _______ conformity rates until ____ confederates
Increasing the group size, increases conformity rates until 3 confederates
People are more than 10 times more likely to conform with 3 confederates compared to 1
Asch
Asch supporting group size affecting conformity
People are more than 10 times more likely to conform with 3 confederates compared to 1
Total unanimity in a group decision, means _______ conformity rates
Total unanimity in a group decision, means higher conformity rates
Effect of having an ally on conformity
Lower
Age and conformity
Younger individuals are more likely to conform than older individuals
Why do younger people conform more
Due to lack of experience and status
Conformity and age study
Steinberg & Monahan (2007)
Steinberg & Monahan (2007)
conformity levels seem to remain the same between the ages of 10 and 14.
However, after this age the conformity levels appear to continue to drop until the age of 18 where it remain steady into early adulthood.
conformity levels seem to remain the same between the ages of 10 and 14.
However, after this age the conformity levels appear to continue to drop until the age of 18 where it remain steady into early adulthood.
Steinberg & Monahan (2007)
Conformity and task difficulty
When an answer is not clear conformity will increase
Why does task difficulty affecting conformity
if a task is more difficult then it is less embarrassing to conform to those around you
Research on conformity and task difficulty
Asch (1956)
Asch (1956) conformity and task difficulty
when he made the lines more similar to each other confomity levels rose
when he made the lines more similar to each other confomity levels rose
Asch (1956)
Conformity and secrecy of response
Secrecy of response decreased levels of conformity
Obedience
A form of compliance that occurs when people follow direct commands, usually from someone in a position of authority
A form of compliance that occurs when people follow direct commands, usually from someone in a position of authority
Obedience
When does obedience become problematic
If the authority figure gives harmful instructions and people obey it
Individual factors affecting obedience
Perceived legitimate authority
Socialisation
Authoritarian parenting
Autonomous and agentic levels of behaviour
Perceived legitimate authority
Socialisation
Authoritarian parenting
Autonomous and agentic levels of behaviour
Individual factors affecting obedience
Situational factors affecting obedience
Proximity
Location
Uniform
Proximity
Location
Uniform
Situational factors affecting obedience
Perceived legitimate authority
If we think that someone has the right to tell us what to do, then generally we will obey
If we think that someone has the right to tell us what to do, then generally we will obey
Perceived legitimate authority
Example of perceived legitimate authority
A police officer
They have a legitimate authority over us and failure to obey may result in some sort of legitimate punishment
Perceived legitimate authority Zimbardo 1971
Stanford prison
Some pps took on role of guards, others prisoners
Both adopted the appropriate uniforms and consequences were dire
Stanford prison
Some pps took on role of guards, others prisoners
Both adopted the appropriate uniforms and consequences were dire
Perceived legitimate authority Zimbardo 1971
Perceived legitimate authority Hofling 1966
Nurses obeyed an order from a doctor even though it was against the rules
Nurses obeyed an order from a doctor even though it was against the rules
Perceived legitimate authority Hofling 1966
Hofling et al 1996 type of experiment
Field experiment
Hofling et al 1996 results
21/22 nurses 95%
Measured out the medication and about to administer it
21/22 nurses 95%
Measured out the medication and about to administer it
Hofling et al 1966 results
Socialisation
Process that occurs from birth and continues throughout our lives
Process that occurs from birth and continues throughout our lives
Socialisation
What does socialisation teach us
The rules of life in a formal and informal way
How does socialisation occur
Parents
School
Social class
More
Binding factors affect
Keep us in an agent if state, we fear disruption to our social situation and may not question authority
Method of Milgram 1963
There is a teacher and a learner
Learner is strapped to chair with electrodes attacked
The learned assieds Qs
Incorrect answers meant the teacher must give an electric shock
For each incorrect answer, the voltage must be increased from 15 to 450
the teacher heard dialogue from the learner
the experimenter prodded the learner
There is a teacher and a learner
Learner is strapped to chair with electrodes attacked
The learned assieds Qs
Incorrect answers meant the teacher must give an electric shock
For each incorrect answer, the voltage must be increased from 15 to 450
the teacher heard dialogue from the learner
the experimenter prodded the learner
Milgram 1963
Milgram year
1963
Learner dialogue milgram 1963
Ow. I can’t stand the pain
Let me out - my hearts bothering me
Experimenter prods in Milgram 1963
Please continue
The experiment requires you to continue
You have no other choice but to continue
What was the experimenter wearing
A lab coat
How many participants in Milgrams study continued to 300 volts
All
How many participants in Milgrams study continued to 450 volts (highest)
65%
> 2 thirds
What voltage did all participants administer in milgrams study
300 volts
What voltage did 65% of participants administer in milgrams study
450
Before milgrams study, what did most participants say they would stop at
150 volts, half what some stopped at
Conclusion of Milgram 1963 relating to nazis
If any of us were out in the same situation as nazi soldiers, we would behave in the same way
What study found If any of us were out in the same situation as nazi soldiers, we would behave in the same way
Milgram 1963
What did Milgram 1963 find out about ordinary people
They are extremely obedient to authority, even when asked ti behave in an inhumane manner
They are extremely obedient to authority, even when asked to behave in an inhumane manner
Milgram found out abt ordinary people
Negative evaluation of Milgram 1963
Informed consent not obtained from participants. They were told they were taking part in an experiment on improving memory.
Pps didn’t have the right to withdraw, if they tried to leave the experimenter would issue prods to make them continue
No protection from harm, pps suffered stress (one even had convulsions). No long term effects reported but still had to deal with the fact they would’ve killed someone
Sample was purely American men, harder to generalise
Lacked ecological validity as lab
Informed consent not obtained from participants. They were told they were taking part in an experiment on improving memory.
Pps didn’t have the right to withdraw, if they tried to leave the experimenter would issue prods to make them continue
No protection from harm, pps suffered stress (one even had convulsions). No long term effects reported but still had to deal with the fact they would’ve killed someone
Sample was purely American men, harder to generalise
Lacked ecological validity as lab
Negative evaluation of Milgram 1963
Aim of Milgram 1963
To investigate the belief that the holocaust identified a national German flaw
To investigate the belief that the holocaust identified a national German flaw
Aim of Milgram 1963
Milgram 1963 participants
Placed ad in a newspaper to recruit 40 male pps
Included professional, white collar, and unskilled workers
Aged between 20 - 50
Placed ad in a newspaper to recruit 40 male pps
Included professional, white collar, and unskilled workers
Aged between 20 - 50
Milgram 1963 participants
Conclusion of Milgram graduated commitment
They had agreed to 15 volt shock, it was hard to refuse 45 volt
Agentic state
Seeing another person as having power
Acting on behalf of their principles and commands
Seeing another person as having power
Acting on behalf of their principles and commands
Agentic state
Autonomous state
Seeing yourself as being in power
Acting on your own wishes and morals
Seeing yourself as being in power
Acting on your own wishes and morals
Autonomous state
Consequence of agentic shift
The individual no longer feels responsible for their actions
They blame those in higher authority
Proximity affecting obedience study
Variation of milgram
After giving instructions, the experimenter would leave the room
All following instructions were given via telephone
Results of proximity on obedience study
Participants were more likely to defy the experimenter
Only 21% off all participants administered the full 450 volts, compared to 65% in the original study
3x less likely
Participants were more likely to defy the experimenter
Only 21% off all participants administered the full 450 volts, compared to 65% in the original study
3x less likely
Proximity affecting obedience study results
Location affecting obedience
Less prestigious locations have lower levels of obedience
Location affecting obedience study
Variation of milgrams study conducted in a run down office building in Connecticut
Results of variation of milgrams study conducted in a run down office building in Connecticut
The participants who administered 450 volts dropped from 65% to 40%
Where was milgrams original study conducted
A plan of Yale university
Boston usa
Uniform
A type of clothing that conveys a sense of power and responsibility
A type of clothing that conveys a sense of power and responsibility
Uniform
Bickerman year
1974
Bickerman 1974 method
Actors gave passer-bys instructions, such as pick up that litter
3 conditions:
Security guard
Milk man
Casual clothing
Actors gave passer-bys instructions, such as pick up that litter
3 conditions:
Security guard
Milk man
Casual clothing
Bickerman 1974
Bickerman 1974 results
The security good outfit led to the highest levels of obedience
Even though the security gait does not have the power, the uniform conveyed a sense of legitimate authority
The security good outfit led to the highest levels of obedience
Even though the security gait does not have the power, the uniform conveyed a sense of legitimate authority
Bickerman 1974
Analyse milgram
It concluded that when we are given orders by figure authority, we are likely to obey
People are in an agenic state when they follow orders
Participant who did not obey orders, took personal responsibility and so were in an autonomous state
Situational factors can influence most people to obey
Higher levels of obedience when teacher and learners were in different rooms
Helps us to understand German soldiers
Compare to bickman
MORI AND ARAI analysis (6)
Conformity of females was similar to those of Asch - with a third conforming. However, found that the male participants did not conform to the majority view.
Females in japan are more likely to conform than males. The researchers said this was because of different expectations and social roles of males and females.
Reduced conformity in males may be a result in generational changes in the 1950s. Asch’s study may have been a child of its time and was simply reflecting the culture of America at the time.
In mori and arias study, the answer was less obvious. This may have not been a valid way of testing conformity.
Mori and arai used both genders meaning it was less bias and resulted in having greater validity.
Asch study used strangers.
MILGRAM 63 analysis (5)
It is important to obtain informed consent to ensure participants are fully aware of what they are being asked to do. Milgram failed to do this as participant were deceived about the true purpose of the study. However, the validity would have been reduced if they knew the true aim.
It was a lab experiment so lacks ecological validity, people may not behave like this in the real world.
Milgrams participants were self selecting which meant that they had personality trait that were not characteristic of the general population.
The experimenter used language that reinforced the perception of authority. This led to participants exhibiting signs of stress.
When our feeling of personal responsibility increase, obedience decrease. Teachers in close proximity to learners, obedience decreased.
