Module 56

Conformity Studies Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard.

Asch’s Study of Conformity

Asch’s Results About 1/3 of the participants conformed. 70% conformed at least once. To strengthen conformity: The group is unanimous The group is at least three people. One admires the group’s status One had made no prior commitment

Milgram’s Study Of Obedience

Results of the Milgram Study

What did we learn from Milgram? Ordinary people can do shocking things. Ethical issues…. Would not have received approval from today’s IRB (Internal Review Board).

What did we learn from Milgram? Why were people more likely to obey? – When the person giving orders were nearby and was perceived as a legitimate authority figure. – The person giving the order was supported by a prestigious institution – the victim was depersonalized

Group Influence Social Facilitation: stronger responses on simple or well learned tasks in the presence of others(better performance) The more difficult the task people perform less well. (complex multiplication).

Social Loafing The tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common goal than when individually accountable. Why? – Less accountable – Laziness is contagious – Contribution is not important

Deindividuation The Misconception: People who riot and loot are scum who were just looking for an excuse to steal and be violent. The Truth: You are prone to losing your individuality and becoming absorbed into a mob under the right conditions

Group Polarization Groups tend to make more extreme decisions than the individual.

Group Think The mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision making group over rides a realistic appraisal of alternatives. Why? Overconfidence, conformity, self justification, & group polarization

Illusions of invulnerability Collective rationalization and discounting of warnings Unquestioned belief in the group’s inherent morality Stereotyped views of the enemy Direct pressure on any group member who argues against the group’s stereotypes, illusions, or proposals Self-censorship of disagreement with the group’s apparent consensus Shared illusions of unanimity Self-appointed mindguards who protect the group from adverse information that might shatter their complacency SOURCE: Janis,Victims of Groupthink Symptoms of Groupthink

Conclusion: debate and buy-in “I don’t care how smart you are….Success and failure depends on how well the staff and cabinet debate honestly and openly and then unite once you’ve made a decision.” Bill Clinton Diversity in counsel, unity in command. - Cyrus the Great