SOCIAL INFLUENCES: Conformity

Question 1

Define: conformity

Answer 1

the tendency to adjust one’s thoughts, feelings or behaviours in ways that are in agreement with those of a particular individual or group, or with accepted standards about how one should behave in certain situations

Question 2

What are the 7 factors affecting conformity? (SUING CD)

Answer 2

Social loafing
Unanimity
Informational influence
Normative influence
Group size
Culture
Deindividualisation

Question 3

Describe how group size affects conformity?

Answer 3

Increases conformity up to 4 people; remains the same but decreases after 15.
Possibly due to belief that people in large groups are conforming like “mindless sheep” as opposed to having legitimate individual opinions in small groups

Question 4

Define: unanimity

Answer 4

Complete agreement among members of a group

Question 5

What conclusions did Asch draw about unanimity?

Answer 5

Difficult to be a minority of one, even if you are right

Ally affect ocurs

Question 6

Define: ally affect

Answer 6

a form of social support, reduces conformity when one believes another shares their thoughts, feelings and/or behaviours.

Question 7

Define: informational influence

Answer 7

When conformity results from a need for information and directionon how to respond.

Question 8

When is informational influence most important?

Answer 8

When the conformer is uncertain and when they really want to be right.

Question 9

Define: normative influence

Answer 9

When an individual’s response in a group situation is guided by one or more social norms, out of a desire to be liked.

Question 10

When is normative influence most important?

Answer 10

When we want to be liked or praised

Question 11

Describe the effect of culture on conformity

Answer 11

Lowest conformity in individualist cultures
-individuality and personal goals valued
-non conformists considered strong…
Highest conformity in cultures
-conformity and group goals valued
-Asch: regarded conformity as appropriate

Question 12

Define: social loafing

Answer 12

the tendency of an individual to make less effort when involved in a group activity than when working alone

Question 13

Describe social loafing with examples

Answer 13

Generally people conform but with less effort - believe conforming or not won’t change group outcome
eg. tug of war: pulled harder when believed to be on their own than in a group
Cultural differences: opposite happened for chinese

Question 14

Under what circumstances is social loafing less likely to occur?

Answer 14

• full effort required
• task is important
• individual performance may be judged
• group valued
• other members won’t perform as well
• small group
• women

Question 15

Define: deindividuation

Answer 15

loss of individuality, or sense of anonymity, which can occur in a group situation

Question 16

Describe how deindividuation is caused.

Answer 16

Anonymity - feels less accountable for actions so they behave in different ways (eg. Zimbardo but covered in white suits increased likelihood of delivering shocks)
Shifts in attention: in groups, they are more likely to pay attention to outside environment than themselves, so less likely to reflect on behaviour and consequences.