1. Chapter 7: Conformity
Part 1: Oct. 13, 2010

2. 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?

3. Early studies of conformity
Sherif’s lab study of autokinetic effect:
What is it?
How did participants conform?
Follow-up 1 year later…Results?

4. Asch’s Conformity studies –
Groups of 6 (5 confederate & 1 participant)
Procedure?
How does conformity occur?
Reward for conforming?

5. Why conform? 1. Information 2. Norms
3. Distinction between private and public conformity -

6. 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?

7. 4. Gender effects on conformity –
Depends on public & private conformity:
Minority Influence:
How can nonconformists influence others?
Style: consistency hypothesis
Personality predictors of conformity?