Conformity, Influence, & Obedience GOALS What factors cause us to obey authority and conform to social norms? How do these principles influence our daily lives?
The Chameleon Effect Unconsciously mimicking others’ behavior, tones of voice, posture, etc. Mood linkage
Asch’s Line Study
Social Influence: Asch’s Conformity “Line” Study RESULTS: Each subject participated in the experimental situation several times. Approximately 75% of them went along with the group’s consensus at least once.
Why Do We Conform? Normative Social Influence – conform for social approval, may not truly agree Informational Social Influence – conform because you believe others to be correct
What makes it more likely we will conform? If we feel insecure Group as more than 3 Group is unanimous We admire status of group We have made no prior commitment to a response Others in the group observe our behavior Our culture strongly encourages respect for social standards
Stanley Milgram’s “Shocking” Experiment on Obedience
Why did they obey? 1)Socialization 2)Lack of social comparison 3)Perception of authority 4)Gradual increase in shock 5)Emotions interfered w/values 6)Buffers 65% of participants OBEYED the experimenter and continued to give shocks, all the way to the 450-volt, XXX shock!!!!