Unit 2: Conformity and Obedience Flashcards
attitudes
evaluations of an attitude object (people, objects, ideas)
conformity
tendency to change perception, opinion, Bx in way that is consistent with the group norm
social norms
rules/guidelines in group/culture about what Bx is proper or improper
implicit social norm
we recognize but don’t necessarily say outright (fashion trends)
explicit social norm
stated outright (standing for national anthem)
Sherif’s Autokinetic Effect Study
Ps in dark room shown single point of light, must estimate distance the light moves (optical illusion, it is still) - alone, then with another Ps in room - norm can be created even though it is false and ambiguous
what does the Autokinetic Effect Study show
is we aren’t sure of ourself, we look to others
Asch’s line judgement study
match standard line with comparison line, 6 conf. 1 Ps - confederates start with correct answer, then all give wrong answer
two types of influence for conformity
informational and normative
informational influence
we want to be right, we believe others are correct (Price is Right, Sherif’s study, online reviews)
normative influence
we want (Asch’s study, dressing up, teens and fitting in)
when the task is unambiguous, what role do others play, what type of influence, and what study provides evidence
Ps follows incorrect majority, normative influence, Asch’s Line Study
when the task is unambiguous, what role do others play, what type of influence, and what study provides evidence
Ps follows incorrect majority, normative influence, Asch’s Line Study
informational influence leads to what type of conformaty
private conformity - changes in both behavior and beliefs (going with norm because you don’t know what’s right and assume others are right)
normative influence leads to what type of conformity
public conformity - change in superficial behavior (going with norm to fit in not because you agree with it)
situational factors for increasing conformity
group of 3-5, unanimity, cohesive (sense of we), higher status people, public response, prior commitment
types of conformity
acceptance of norms, compliances to requests, obedience in response to others
acceptance
Bx and attitude match social norm
compliance
Bx matches request, attitude does not
obedience
following a command (type of compliance)
Hofling obedience study
21/22 nurses gave overdose of “Astroten” when ordered to despite warning label, not knowing the doctor, and Astroten wasn’t on list of drugs they could administer
Milgram’s obedience study
Ps is teacher that shocks conf. student when answers question wrong - 65% of pts. shocked all the way to XXX
Milgram’s obedience study shows that
ordinary people can become objects of destruction
obedience strongest when
study run by prestigious institution, Ps was far away from conf., authority conf. was present and looked legitimate
what decreases obedience
presence of other rebels
mimicry (chameleon effect)
subtle, non-conscious form of conformity in which people take on speech patterns/Bx mannerisms of interaction partner
chameleon effect study
Ps engaged with conf that shook foot, then with one that rubbed face; recorded # times Ps did each Bx, Ps couldn’t recall how many times themself or the conf. did each
what happens when others mimic us
we like them more, interaction goes more smoothly, we are inclined to help them
zimbardo stanford prison experiment
shows power of situation, roleplaying, deindividuation, etc.,
