Psychology: Obedience and Authority

Questions and Answers

What percentage of participants administered the maximum shock level of 450 volts?

75%

100%

50%

65% (correct)

What was the primary aim of the obedience study discussed?

To investigate obedience to authority (correct)

To test the limits of human compassion

To investigate the nature of conformity in groups

To examine the effects of punishment on learning

What ethical concern is primarily associated with the obedience study?

Lack of informed consent from participants

Failure to debrief participants adequately

Use of real electric shocks on participants

Deception regarding the purpose of the study (correct)

How many participants refused to go beyond 300 volts during the obedience study?

5 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines normative social influence?

Conforming to align with group standards for acceptance Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of the findings related to obedience to authority?

Greater understanding of ethical treatment of participants Signup and view all the answers

In what context does informational social influence primarily occur?

When individuals lack information in ambiguous situations Signup and view all the answers

Which statement differentiates obedience from conformity?

Obedience involves compliance with authority, while conformity is influenced by social norms. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary motivation for people in collectivist cultures regarding conformity?

To prioritize group harmony Signup and view all the answers

Which factor has the greatest effect on conformity according to group size?

Conformity reaches its peak with a group of four Signup and view all the answers

What term describes losing one's personal identity and responsibility in a group?

Deindividuation Signup and view all the answers

How does the degree of unanimity affect an individual's likelihood of conforming?

Higher unanimity increases conformity pressure Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of social loafing primarily associated with?

Reduced effort in group tasks Signup and view all the answers

In Asch's conformity study, what was the main reason participants conformed to the incorrect answers?

They wished to avoid ridicule or standing out Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of participants in Asch's study conformed to the incorrect majority at least once?

75% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of deindividuation?

Increased personal accountability Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Obedience

Obedience involves changing behavior in response to direct requests or instruction from an authority figure.
Situations may create explicit expectations to obey, with potential negative consequences for disobedience.
In a notable experiment, 65% of participants administered a maximum shock of 450 volts; 100% went up to 300 volts.
Only five participants (12.5%) refused to go beyond 300 volts.
Aim of the study: to investigate obedience to authority.

Methodology

Participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to a confederate (the "learner") for incorrect answers, under supervision of an authority figure.

Key Findings

A large proportion of participants administered maximum shock levels despite visible discomfort.
The study highlighted the significant influence of authority on obedience levels.

Contribution to Psychology

Revealed extensive implications of authority and obedience.
Prompted further research on the ethical considerations of psychological experiments.

Criticisms and Limitations

Major ethical concerns arose regarding psychological stress inflicted on participants.
Heavy use of deception was employed.
Questions on generalizability beyond the experimental setting can limit findings.

Conformity

Conformity refers to changes in behavior and attitude due to group pressure.

Factors Affecting Conformity

Normative Social Influence: Conforming to group standards to gain acceptance; often associated with peer pressure.
Informational Social Influence: Change in opinion occurs by conforming to those perceived as knowledgeable, especially in ambiguous situations.
Cultural Conformity: Greater conformity found in collectivist cultures compared to individualistic cultures; a focus on group goals and harmony drives behaviors.
Group Size: Conformity increases with group size up to four; thereafter, effects diminish.
Deindividuation: A state where individuals lose sense of identity in group contexts, leading to a mob mentality and diminished responsibility.
Degree of Unanimity: Difficulty standing out in a group when consensus exists.

Refers to reduced effort put forth by individuals within a group setting, linked to deindividuation as individual monitoring diminishes.

Asch (1951) Conformity Study

Aim: Investigate how social pressure from a majority group influences conformity.
Method: Participants judged line lengths in groups with confederates giving intentional incorrect answers.
Key Findings: About 75% conformed to the incorrect majority at least once; overall conformity rates to wrong answers were 32%.
Interviews revealed participants conformed mainly to avoid ridicule, despite knowing the group’s answer was incorrect.
Contributed to understanding the powerful effects of group conformity.

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Description

Explore the dynamics of obedience in authority figures through this quiz. It investigates the psychological aspects of how people comply with instructions, often to extreme levels. Gain insights into the implications of obedience in various contexts.