1. The Power of Conformity Ava Tutza and Kerry Ryffel

2. Background Conformity--behavior that adheres to the behavior patterns of a group Social norms--unspoken rules Until 1950s, no solid research Understanding differences helps predict behavior

3. Theoretical Propositions How powerful is the need to conform in influencing our behavior? Attitudes, ethics, morals, belief systems Perceptual conformity-- easier to systematically test

4. Method 3 different lines on one card Everyone answers correctly the first 2 times Shown a new set of card, everyone answers wrong What do you do?

5. Findings 75% went along with group’s incorrect consensus at least once Subjects conformed 1/3 of the time Correct 98% in individual answers

6. Recent Applications Cerwonka, Isabell, & Hansen, 2000 Why young adults have un-protected sex Mansfield et al., 2003 Men are less likely to seek help than women Bond & Smith, 1996 Cultures influence on conformity

7. Related Research Support- only need one person to resist conformity Commitment- if you like the group you’re more likely to conform Size- level of conformity affected by size of group Sex- women conform faster than men

9. Criticisms Length of line is trivial Can the results be extended to real life?