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Conformity

Conformity. AP PSYCH CH 14. Stanford Prison Experiment. “guards” and “prisoners” randomly assigned from student volunteers All were law-abiding Both groups quickly conformed to the social roles expected of them Guards followed script of how they expected guards to act Abuses of power

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Conformity

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  1. Conformity AP PSYCH CH 14

  2. Stanford Prison Experiment • “guards” and “prisoners” randomly assigned from student volunteers • All were law-abiding • Both groups quickly conformed to the social roles expected of them • Guards followed script of how they expected guards to act • Abuses of power • Demonstrates importance of social context on personal behavior • Long Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=760lwYmpXbc

  3. Chameleon Effect • The tendency to mimic other people • Effected by social pressure • Type of conformity – The tendency for people to adopt behaviors, attitudes, and opinions of other member of a group. • When are we more likely to conform?

  4. The Asch Effect • Solomon Asch (1940, 1956) • 1st 3 trials, everyone gave correct answer • Then “confederates” gave wrong answer • Would participant knowingly give wrong answer to go along with the group? • 50-80% gave wrong answer at least once • Asch Effect – a form of conformity in which a group majority influences individual judgments. • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA-gbpt7Ts8

  5. Asch Effect (cont.) • Some people will “stand their ground” – individual heroic defiance • More often than not, most people conform

  6. Group Characteristic that Produce Conformity • The size of the majority • Will not go along with a group of 1-2, but will when group = 3 • The presence of a partner who dissented from the majority • One ally reduces conformity • The size of the discrepancy between the correct answer and the majority’s position • How obvious is the correct answer?

  7. Groupthink • Occurs when members of a group are highly cohesive and strive for concurrence (Irving Janice, 1972) • Conform their opinions to group consensus • Present in businesses, government, organizations etc. • Can lead group to take actions that individuals would not normally consider • Concept of groupthink developed after decisions made by U.S. Govt in Vietnam, Bay of Pigs. • Research shows group think contributed to space shuttle disasters, Enron scandal, 2003 decision to invade Iraq (p 573-574)

  8. Conditions that promote groupthink: • Isolation of the group • High group cohesiveness • Directive leadership • Lack of norms requiring methodical procedures • Homogeneity of members’ social backgrounds and ideology • High stress from external threats with low hope of a better solution than that of the group leader

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