Chapter 7: Conformity Part 1: March 6, 2012
Social Influence 3 forms of social influence: Conformity, compliance, & obedience We automatically mimic others Gestures, facial movements Serves a social function Links to conformity “tendency to change our perceptions & behavior in ways consistent with group norms” Labeling conformity?
Early studies of conformity Sherif’s lab study of autokinetic effect: What is it? How did participants conform? Follow-up 1 year later…Results?
Asch’s Conformity studies – Groups of 6 (5 confederate & 1 participant) Procedure? How often does conformity occur? Reward for conforming?
Why conform? 1. Information 2. Norms 3. Distinction between private and public conformity -
Majority Influence 1. Influence of group size – What are the effects on conformity? 2. Pluralistic ignorance – perceptual error
3. Influence of one partner in nonconformity: What happened in Asch’s study related to this? 4. Gender effects on conformity – Depends on public & private conformity:
Minority Influence on Conformity: How can nonconformists influence others? Style: consistency hypothesis Personality predictors of conformity?
Compliance Make direct requests of us & hope we comply Differs from conformity: Sometimes we mindlessly comply Langer’s experiment w/xerox machine… Strategies for compliance? Use the reciprocity norm – repay someone a favor Immediate vs. delayed effects?
Sequential Requests: Foot-in-the-door technique: start w/small request Example? Based on self-perception? Lowballing technique: agreement then change the deal Door-in-the face technique: start w/big request then smaller request How is contrast effect at work?