Conformity & Obedience

Question 1

what is conformity

Answer 1

The tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs of other members of a group.

Question 2

list all the 7 factors affecting conformity

Answer 2

-Normative influence

-Informational influence

-Culture

-Group size

-Unanimity

-Deindividuation

-Social loafing

Question 3

what is normative influence
& give an example

Answer 3

Conforming to gain social approval or avoid social rejection.

• Eg. Buying new white sneakers because everyone’s wearing them and someone said your old shows look bad.

Question 4

what is informational influence & give an example

Answer 4

Conforming due to uncertainty about how to act/think.

• Ie. Copying what others are doing because
  you don’t know what’s expected of you in
  this situation.

Question 5

what is group size

Answer 5

The larger the group, the more likely someone will conform with the group.

Question 6

what is group unanimity

Answer 6

Someone is more likely to conform when all of the group agree on an idea.

Question 7

what is culture

Answer 7

Someone’s cultural background can influence
whether someone feels comfortable standing
out from a crowd or not.

Question 8

what are examples of culture in society

Answer 8

• Participants from individualistic cultures (value independence and personal goals – Aus, USA, UK, Israel) were less likely to conform.
• Participants from collectivist cultures (value achieving group goals – Egypt, India, Nepal, Japan etc) were more likely to conform.

Question 9

what Deindividuation & give an example

Answer 9

• The loss of individuality or gain of the sense of anonymity that can occur in a group situation.
• When people feel anonymous
  and less accountable for their
  actions, they may choose to
  conform to a group which is
  behaving in ways they otherwise
  would not.

Question 10

what is social loafing

Answer 10

The reduction of effort an individual puts in when they are part of a team.

Question 11

why do we conform

Answer 11

Society requires that some conformity exists so that norms and standards can be established and agreed upon – otherwise, behavior would be unpredictable.

Question 12

define obedience

Answer 12

The performance of an action in response to the direct orders of an authority or person of higher status.