Sherif's Experiment of Autokinetic Effect

Question 1

Some Classic Experiments in Social Psychology

Answer 1

The Milgram Experiment: demonstrated obedience to authority

The Stanford Prison Experiment: demonstrates situational attribution of behavior

The Asch Effect: demonstrated normative influence on conformity

Sherif’s Experiment on Norm Crystallization: demonstrates informational influence on conformity

Question 2

Autokinetic effect

Answer 2

a phenomenon of human visual perception in which a stationary, small point of light in an otherwise dark/featureless environment appears to move

Question 3

In 1935, Muzfer Sherif made use of the autokinetic effect to…

Answer 3

study informational influence on conformity

Question 4

Informational Influence on Conformity

Answer 4

refers to people’s tendency to obtain information from others so as to act in a “correct” way in a given situation

Question 5

Sherif Hypothesized:

Answer 5

that informational influence can lead to norm crystallization; norm formation and solidification

Question 6

Phase 1: Establishing Individual Norms

Answer 6

• Participants were in a room by themselves
• They judged how far the spot had moved
• Individual norms settled in a distance between 2-6 inches
• Individual norms became consistent after many trials

Question 7

Phase 2: Establishing Group Norms

Answer 7

• 2-3 participants were put in a room
• They were asked to come up with a group agreement upon how far the spot had moved
• Extreme individual norms established in phase 1 became less extreme
• Group norms usually settled at around 4 inches

Question 8

Phase 3: Tests on Individual Norms Again

Answer 8

• After the establishment of a group norm, participants were tested individually again
• Most people conformed to the group norms that they recently made
• Individuals who previously judged the movement to be 2 or 6 inches now judged the movement to be 4 inches

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

• Group norms are established through the interactions of individuals
• Extreme individual positions tend to level off when a group norm is formed
• People look to information shared by others when they adjust their individual judgements
• Judgement was affected by expectation (a recurring theme in psychology)

Question 10

Comparison Between Asch’s & Sherif’s Experiments:

Answer 10

ASCH:
Demonstrated normative influence on conformity

Studied how individuals fitted into a pre-established group norm

Use confederates to establish an erroneous group norm

Reality to be judged was clear & unambiguous

SHERIF:
Demonstrated informational influence on conformity

Studies how a group norm was formed

Did not use confederates

Reality to be judged was a visual illusion