Chapter 7: Conformity Part 1: Oct. 13, 2010
Social Influence We automatically mimic others Links to conformity Gestures, facial movements Serves a social function Links to conformity “tendency to change our perceptions & behavior in ways consistent with group norms” Do we recognize this 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 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 when someone supported participant’s opinion?
4. Gender effects on conformity – Depends on public & private conformity: Minority Influence: How can nonconformists influence others? Style: consistency hypothesis Personality predictors of conformity?