1. Conformity Social Psychology Chapter 7 October 8, 2004 Class #6

3. Conformity Changing one’s behavior to match the responses or actions of others (no pressure necessarily) Changing one’s behavior to match the responses or actions of others (no pressure necessarily)

4. The Chameleon Effect Chartrand and Bargh (1999) Chartrand and Bargh (1999) Participant and confederate worked on a task together Participant and confederate worked on a task together

5. Is behavior contagious? Milgram et al. (1969) Milgram et al. (1969) Research confederates congregated and craned their necks to gawk at a window on the 6 th floor of an apartment building Research confederates congregated and craned their necks to gawk at a window on the 6 th floor of an apartment building 80% of all passers-by stopped and gazed upward 80% of all passers-by stopped and gazed upward

6. Uncertainty In ambiguous situations, people tend to rely on information provided by others In ambiguous situations, people tend to rely on information provided by others Sherif asked students to judge the apparent movement of a stationary light on a wall Sherif asked students to judge the apparent movement of a stationary light on a wall Autokinetic Effect Autokinetic Effect A stationary spot of light in a dark room appears to move A stationary spot of light in a dark room appears to move

7. Sherif (1937) Put yourself in the role of the participant… Put yourself in the role of the participant… Day 1 Day 1 Participant stares at a pinpoint of light about 15 feet away Participant stares at a pinpoint of light about 15 feet away The light seems to be moving but you can’t be sure…after a few seconds it disappears The light seems to be moving but you can’t be sure…after a few seconds it disappears Sherif: How far did it move? Sherif: How far did it move? Participant: I’m not really sure but maybe about 8 inches Participant: I’m not really sure but maybe about 8 inches

8. Sherif (1937) Day 2 Day 2 The participant is now joined by three confederates The participant is now joined by three confederates This time all four stare at the pinpoint of light about 15 feet away This time all four stare at the pinpoint of light about 15 feet away Again, you think it moved about 8 inches Again, you think it moved about 8 inches Sherif: How far did it move? Sherif: How far did it move? Confederate 1: 2 inches Confederate 1: 2 inches Confederate 2: an inch or two Confederate 2: an inch or two Confederate 3: oh, no it can’t be more than one inch Confederate 3: oh, no it can’t be more than one inch Participant: oh, I guess about 6 inches Participant: oh, I guess about 6 inches Everyone else looks at you as if you are crazy Everyone else looks at you as if you are crazy

9. Sherif (1937) Day 3 Day 3 The same situation as Day 2 except this time you reply “about 4 inches” The same situation as Day 2 except this time you reply “about 4 inches” Day 4 Day 4 The same situation as Day 2 except this time you reply “its probably like 2 inches” The same situation as Day 2 except this time you reply “its probably like 2 inches”

10. Conformity: Asch’s Research on Group Influence Lets look at Asch’s classic research studies involving group pressure… Lets look at Asch’s classic research studies involving group pressure… Asch (1951, 1952, 1956 ) Asch (1951, 1952, 1956 )

11. Which of the lines on the left most closely matches line A on the right? Which of the lines on the left most closely matches line A on the right? A 123 In this early version, Asch had 16 “naïve” participants with 1 confederate who gave incorrect answers In this early version, Asch had 16 “naïve” participants with 1 confederate who gave incorrect answers Asch (1951)

12. Results: Results: Participants laughed at and ridiculed the confederate Participants laughed at and ridiculed the confederate

13. Asch’s Research on Group Influence (1951, 1952, 1956) Series of experiments most done with 1 participant and 5-8 confederates Series of experiments most done with 1 participant and 5-8 confederates Real participant would give their judgment after several confederates had already given theirs Real participant would give their judgment after several confederates had already given theirs

14. Which of the lines on the left most closely matches line A on the right? Which of the lines on the left most closely matches line A on the right? A 123 What would you say if you were in a group of 6 others, and all agreed the answer was 2? What would you say if you were in a group of 6 others, and all agreed the answer was 2? Asch (1956)

15. When alone, 95% of participants got all the answers correct… When alone, 95% of participants got all the answers correct… A 123 When confronted by the unanimous incorrect majority, participants conformed 37% of the time…in fact 75% went against their own eyes at least once if the group gave a wrong answer When confronted by the unanimous incorrect majority, participants conformed 37% of the time…in fact 75% went against their own eyes at least once if the group gave a wrong answer Asch (1956)

16. Some participants said they didn’t want to look silly or be rejected by the rest of the group Some participants said they didn’t want to look silly or be rejected by the rest of the group This is referred to as normative social influence This is referred to as normative social influence They wanted to “fit in” with the others They wanted to “fit in” with the others Some participants said it was because they thought the others must have had better eyesight or be better informed in some way Some participants said it was because they thought the others must have had better eyesight or be better informed in some way This is referred to as informational social influence This is referred to as informational social influence They were basically utilizing others as a source of information They were basically utilizing others as a source of information

17. Asch’s conclusions…conditions that strengthen conformity The following were influential insofar as conformity was concerned... The following were influential insofar as conformity was concerned... Group size Group size Incompetent and insecure individuals Incompetent and insecure individuals Group’s status and attractiveness Group’s status and attractiveness

18. Group size As the number of people increases so does conformity… As the number of people increases so does conformity… Asch varied the size of his groups using 1 to 15 confederates in his many studies Asch varied the size of his groups using 1 to 15 confederates in his many studies Once there was 3 or 4 confederates, the amount of additional influence was negligible Once there was 3 or 4 confederates, the amount of additional influence was negligible

19. Incompetent and insecure individuals When one is made to feel incompetent or insecure conformity is likely When one is made to feel incompetent or insecure conformity is likely

20. Group’s status and attractiveness Kind of goes without saying…if its a group you want to be a part of – you will likely conform to its opinions Kind of goes without saying…if its a group you want to be a part of – you will likely conform to its opinions

21. Asch’s conclusions…conditions that weaken conformity Presence of an ally – the “true partner effect” Presence of an ally – the “true partner effect” Independence Independence

22. Presence of an ally The presence of a true partner, who agreed with the subject, reduced conformity by 80% The presence of a true partner, who agreed with the subject, reduced conformity by 80% When we have an ally, we can diffuse the pressure because we are not the only one breaking the norm When we have an ally, we can diffuse the pressure because we are not the only one breaking the norm Substantially more difficult to stand alone for one’s convictions than when one is part of even a tiny minority Substantially more difficult to stand alone for one’s convictions than when one is part of even a tiny minority Any dissent can reduce the normative pressures to conform Any dissent can reduce the normative pressures to conform

23. Independence Some people care more about standing up for their rights than being disliked Some people care more about standing up for their rights than being disliked In the movie, “12 Angry Men” – a lone dissenter resisted the pressure to conform In the movie, “12 Angry Men” – a lone dissenter resisted the pressure to conform

24. Asch (1956) Bottom-line Conclusion: Bottom-line Conclusion: People faced with strong group consensus sometimes go along even though they think the others may be wrong People faced with strong group consensus sometimes go along even though they think the others may be wrong And these are strangers…what if they were member’s of your own circle of friends? And these are strangers…what if they were member’s of your own circle of friends?

25. Difference between Asch & Sherif studies Sherif: Sherif: Because of ambiguity, participants turned to each other for guidance Because of ambiguity, participants turned to each other for guidance Asch: Asch: Participants often found themselves in an awkward position Participants often found themselves in an awkward position It was obvious that group was wrong It was obvious that group was wrong

26. Difference between Asch & Sherif studies Sherif (moving light) Sherif (moving light) Subject didn’t know wasn’t correct answer Subject didn’t know wasn’t correct answer Reasonable to consider other’s views Reasonable to consider other’s views Participants later adopted social norms Participants later adopted social norms Conformity leads to internalization Conformity leads to internalization Asch (parallel lines) Asch (parallel lines) Participants knew there was a correct answer Participants knew there was a correct answer Conformity does not lead to internalization Conformity does not lead to internalization

27. Types of Conformity Private Conformity: Private Conformity: Changes in both overt behavior and beliefs Changes in both overt behavior and beliefs Public Conformity: Public Conformity: Superficial change in overt behavior only Superficial change in overt behavior only

28. Types of Conformity

29. CRUTCHFIELD (1955) Studies of attitude Studies of attitude “Free speech being a privilege rather than a right, it is proper for a society to suspend free speech when it feels threatened” “Free speech being a privilege rather than a right, it is proper for a society to suspend free speech when it feels threatened” 19% agreed with statement in private 19% agreed with statement in private 58% agreed under pressure of group influence 58% agreed under pressure of group influence

30. CRUTCHFIELD (1955) CRUTCHFIELD (1955) Statement presented to Army leaders: Statement presented to Army leaders: “I doubt whether I would make a good leader” None agreed with statement in private None agreed with statement in private 37% agreed under group pressure 37% agreed under group pressureBUT When Ss were presented with judgements again in private most reverted to their pre-group answers When Ss were presented with judgements again in private most reverted to their pre-group answers No permanent attitude change as result of experiment No permanent attitude change as result of experiment

31. DEL MAR, California (March 26, 1997) 39 cult members were found dead in a hilltop mansion 39 cult members were found dead in a hilltop mansion They apparently died in a carefully orchestrated suicide that involved sedatives, vodka and plastic bags possibly used to suffocate They apparently died in a carefully orchestrated suicide that involved sedatives, vodka and plastic bags possibly used to suffocate

32. Together forever??? In 1994, members began to talk more openly about leaving Earth for what they called "The Kingdom Level Above Human," which they said was a "real, physical" place In 1994, members began to talk more openly about leaving Earth for what they called "The Kingdom Level Above Human," which they said was a "real, physical" place Pictured to the right is their leader, Marshall Applewhite Pictured to the right is their leader, Marshall Applewhite

33. He got people to conform to his beliefs… “Hale-Bopp's (comet) approach is the ‘marker’ we've been waiting for -- the time for the arrival of the spacecraft from the Level Above Human to take us home to ‘Their World’ -- in the literal Heavens” “Hale-Bopp's (comet) approach is the ‘marker’ we've been waiting for -- the time for the arrival of the spacecraft from the Level Above Human to take us home to ‘Their World’ -- in the literal Heavens” Our 22 years of classroom here on planet Earth is finally coming to conclusion -- "graduation" from the Human Evolutionary Level Our 22 years of classroom here on planet Earth is finally coming to conclusion -- "graduation" from the Human Evolutionary Level They believed that a spaceship was following the comet and they were happily prepared to leave They believed that a spaceship was following the comet and they were happily prepared to leave They committed the mass suicide so that their spirits could board the ship They committed the mass suicide so that their spirits could board the ship

34. Other less extreme examples of conformity… TV comedies that use canned laughter – research shows that it works TV comedies that use canned laughter – research shows that it works Bartenders and street musicians will often place money in their tip jars or hats – again research shows that this works Bartenders and street musicians will often place money in their tip jars or hats – again research shows that this works