Podcast
Questions and Answers
What percentage of participants conformed to the group at least once in Sherif's study?
What percentage of participants conformed to the group at least once in Sherif's study?
Milgram's research was focused on understanding compliance to group pressure.
Milgram's research was focused on understanding compliance to group pressure.
False
What is the term used for the influence to conform when individuals are uncertain about how to act?
What is the term used for the influence to conform when individuals are uncertain about how to act?
informational influence
In Sherif's experiment, the group responses tended to converge toward a central ______.
In Sherif's experiment, the group responses tended to converge toward a central ______.
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Match the following influential factors with their descriptions:
Match the following influential factors with their descriptions:
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Which of the following factors generally decreases the likelihood of conformity?
Which of the following factors generally decreases the likelihood of conformity?
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People from collectivist cultures are less likely to conform compared to those from individualist cultures.
People from collectivist cultures are less likely to conform compared to those from individualist cultures.
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Name one classic study on conformity aside from Sherif's experiment.
Name one classic study on conformity aside from Sherif's experiment.
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Which type of conformity involves publicly complying with social pressure while privately disagreeing?
Which type of conformity involves publicly complying with social pressure while privately disagreeing?
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Internalization occurs when individuals adopt behaviors that they intrinsically find satisfying.
Internalization occurs when individuals adopt behaviors that they intrinsically find satisfying.
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What classic study demonstrated that people conform to group norms in an ambiguous situation?
What classic study demonstrated that people conform to group norms in an ambiguous situation?
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____________ is a type of conformity where individuals want to be like a particular person.
____________ is a type of conformity where individuals want to be like a particular person.
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What was the primary aim of Asch's studies on group pressure?
What was the primary aim of Asch's studies on group pressure?
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Match the types of conformity with their definitions:
Match the types of conformity with their definitions:
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People are more likely to conform when they are unsure of the correct answer or outcome.
People are more likely to conform when they are unsure of the correct answer or outcome.
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What is the difference between compliance and identification?
What is the difference between compliance and identification?
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What term describes the process by which people change their behavior to align with a group's expectations?
What term describes the process by which people change their behavior to align with a group's expectations?
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Observational learning is the process where children learn by listening to others.
Observational learning is the process where children learn by listening to others.
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What is the bystander effect?
What is the bystander effect?
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When people feel that their freedom to act is threatened, they may experience ______.
When people feel that their freedom to act is threatened, they may experience ______.
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Which of the following can be a potential negative outcome of conformity?
Which of the following can be a potential negative outcome of conformity?
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Match the following types of conformity with their descriptions:
Match the following types of conformity with their descriptions:
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Social pressure can only lead to positive outcomes for individuals.
Social pressure can only lead to positive outcomes for individuals.
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What is the role of modeling in conformity?
What is the role of modeling in conformity?
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Study Notes
Conformity
- A change in behavior or belief as a result of real or imagined group pressure
- Often results from social influence
Types of Conformity
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Compliance: Acting in accord with social pressure while privately disagreeing
- Motivated by reward or punishment
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Identification: Adopting behavior because it puts you in a satisfying relationship with someone else
- You believe in the opinions and values you adopt, but not very strongly
- Internalization (or Acceptance): This is when we truly believe in a norm because we have internalized it as our own.
Classic Studies on Conformity
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Sherif's Studies of Norm Formation (1935):
- Participants placed in an ambiguous situation
- Participants were asked to estimate the movement of a light in a dark room alone, and then again as a group
- Despite initial variations in responses, participants converged towards a central mean when in a group
- Demonstrates that people conform to group norms in ambiguous situations
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Asch's Studies of Group Pressure (1951):
- Participants were asked to judge the lengths of lines in a group setting
- Confederates in the group intentionally selected the wrong line
- Results showed that participants conformed with the wrong answer at least once about 75% of the time.
Factors that Influence Conformity
- Difficulty of the task: Difficult tasks can lead to both increased and decreased conformity (people may conform to avoid feeling incompetent, or they may express dissenting opinions if the task is so difficult that they believe others are wrong)
- Group size: People are more likely to conform in groups of 3 to 5 others
- Status of the individual: People are more likely to conform to those they perceive as having higher status
- Situation: People are more likely to conform in ambiguous situations
- Cultural differences: People from collectivist cultures are more likely to conform
- Individual differences: Personal characteristics such as motivation to achieve and strong leadership abilities can influence conformity.
Effects of Conformity
- Social harmony and group cohesiveness: Conformity can contribute to a sense of belonging.
- Social persuasion: Can influence people's behavior, appearance, attitudes, and opinions to fit in.
- Learning and socialization: Plays a role in observational learning - kids often learn by watching and imitating the actions of others.
- Negative effects: Can lead to risky or harmful behavior, and contribute to the bystander effect
Resisting Social Pressure
- Reactance: A motive to protect or restore one's sense of freedom. People may rebel when social pressure threatens their freedom.
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Description
Test your knowledge on conformity concepts in social psychology, including key studies by Sherif and Milgram. Explore the factors influencing conformity and the differences between types of conformity. This quiz challenges your understanding of how social pressure affects individual behavior.
