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Which form of conformity is characterized by a change in public behavior without a change in private beliefs?
Which form of conformity is characterized by a change in public behavior without a change in private beliefs?
Internalisation involves publicly agreeing with a group's viewpoint while privately maintaining one's own beliefs.
Internalisation involves publicly agreeing with a group's viewpoint while privately maintaining one's own beliefs.
False
Define normative social influence.
Define normative social influence.
The influence to conform to the expectations of others in order to be accepted or liked.
_____ is the form of conformity where individuals adopt group behaviors to feel part of the group.
_____ is the form of conformity where individuals adopt group behaviors to feel part of the group.
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Match the forms of conformity with their descriptions:
Match the forms of conformity with their descriptions:
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Which influential research study is associated with the Asch Effect regarding conformity?
Which influential research study is associated with the Asch Effect regarding conformity?
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Cultural influences on conformity tend to show that individualistic cultures have higher conformity levels compared to collectivist cultures.
Cultural influences on conformity tend to show that individualistic cultures have higher conformity levels compared to collectivist cultures.
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List one strength of laboratory studies in researching conformity.
List one strength of laboratory studies in researching conformity.
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What is the term for the influence resulting from one's desire to be accepted or liked by others?
What is the term for the influence resulting from one's desire to be accepted or liked by others?
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Asch found that conformity rates increased indefinitely as group size increased.
Asch found that conformity rates increased indefinitely as group size increased.
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What is the Asch effect?
What is the Asch effect?
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In Asch's study, when the confederates gave different answers, the conformity rate dropped to _____ percent.
In Asch's study, when the confederates gave different answers, the conformity rate dropped to _____ percent.
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Match the following terms related to conformity with their descriptions:
Match the following terms related to conformity with their descriptions:
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Which variable has the most significant initial impact on conformity according to Asch's research?
Which variable has the most significant initial impact on conformity according to Asch's research?
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The Midwestern culture influences conformity by promoting individualism over group consensus.
The Midwestern culture influences conformity by promoting individualism over group consensus.
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What is a strength of laboratory studies in examining conformity?
What is a strength of laboratory studies in examining conformity?
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What is the main reason behind normative social influence?
What is the main reason behind normative social influence?
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Informational social influence leads to a change in public behavior but not in private attitudes.
Informational social influence leads to a change in public behavior but not in private attitudes.
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Provide an example of internalisation in a social context.
Provide an example of internalisation in a social context.
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Compliance is a type of conformity that occurs when individuals go along with the group without personally accepting the group's ______.
Compliance is a type of conformity that occurs when individuals go along with the group without personally accepting the group's ______.
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Match the type of social influence with its description:
Match the type of social influence with its description:
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Which of the following describes the Asch Effect?
Which of the following describes the Asch Effect?
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Cultural factors do not influence conformity levels among individuals.
Cultural factors do not influence conformity levels among individuals.
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Identify one strength of laboratory studies in researching conformity.
Identify one strength of laboratory studies in researching conformity.
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Study Notes
Conformity
- Conformity is a type of social influence where individuals adjust their beliefs or behaviours to align with a group.
- It can be categorized into different types:
- Compliance: Individuals adjust their behaviour to gain group approval or avoid disapproval. This doesn't necessarily mean a change in attitude.
- Internalisation: Individuals genuinely accept the group's viewpoint, adjusting both behaviour and beliefs publicly and privately.
- Identification: Individuals conform to the group to be accepted and associated. It's a more temporary form of conformity.
Informational Social Influence
- Occurs when individuals accept information from others as evidence about reality.
- This happens in ambiguous situations, when individuals are unsure of the correct course of action, or when they perceive others as experts.
- Individuals conform publicly and privately; internalisation takes place as a result.
Normative Social Influence
- Refers to conformity when individuals go along with the group majority without personally accepting their views.
- Driven by the need for social companionship, fear of rejection, desire for approval or avoid disapproval.
- Individuals conform to certain social norms and values. It's about following and fitting in.
Variables Affecting Conformity
- Group size: Conformity increases with larger groups, but only up to a certain point.
- Unanimity: Conformity decreases when the group is not unanimous; if one person disagrees, others are more likely to resist conforming.
- Task difficulty: Conformity increases as task difficulty increases. This is because people look to others for guidance when the correct response is unclear.
Solomon Asch's Line Study
- A classic experiment illustrating conformity in perceptual tasks about line length
- Participants conformed in the presence of confederates giving wrong answers, more likely when the confederates where consistent.
- The study showed the impact of group pressure on individual judgments, even in situations of objective reality.
Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment
- A study investigating individuals interaction in different social roles (guards and prisoners)
- Demonstrated the power of social roles in influencing behaviour
- Participants readily took on their assigned roles and behaviours escalated to extreme levels of aggression and abuse
Stanley Milgram's Obedience Experiment
- A landmark experiment focusing on obedience to authority.
- Investigated the willingness of participants to administer electric shocks to another person (a confederate) when ordered by an authority figure.
- Results: A significant proportion of participants obeyed even when the actions were potentially harmful.
Situational Variables Affecting Obedience
- Proximity: Obedience decreased when the teacher and learner were closer together (physically or emotionally). Reduced proximity led to an increase in obedience.
- Location: Obedience varied depending on the location of the experiment; prestigious locations led to higher levels.
- Uniform: Perceived authority of the experimenter increased with a lab coat (uniform).
Authoritarian Personality
- A dispositional explanation for obedience that suggests that certain personality traits predispose individuals to obey authority figures.
- Individuals with authoritarian personalities were raised in harsh environments with strict rules.
- Adorno's F-scale: a measurement tool to identify people with authoritarian personalities.
Social Support
- This is an important social influence, helping individuals resist conformity or obedience.
- If people witness others resisting, it reduces the pressure, making it easier to dissent.
- Social support is important for resisting conformity or obedience in groups.
Locus of Control
- A personality factor that describes how much individuals believe they control their lives.
- Individuals with internal locus of control believe their actions have a direct effect on outcomes. They are more likely to resist pressure to conform or obey.
- Individuals with external locus of control believe external factors, like fate, influence their lives. They are more susceptible to pressure.
Minority Influence
- A change in the behaviour or thinking of a majority group due to an influential minority.
- Key elements for minority influence: consistency, commitment, flexibility & the augmentation principle.
- Minority influence operates through informational social influence.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the various forms of conformity, including the Asch Effect and normative social influence. This quiz covers definitions, key studies, and cultural differences in conformity behaviors. Challenge yourself and understand the dynamics of how group behavior influences individual actions.
