Abrams

Aim

To determine if in group identity would affect one's willingness to conform

Procedure

50 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory psychology course

In the beginning, 3 confederates (people who were working for the experiment) were introduced as first First year students from the Psychology department or from a prestigious university (in group) or as students of ancient history from the same university (out group)

Participants were not allowed to speak to each other

In each session, confederates and one participant sat in row, facing the monitor, with the participant always being placed at one end of the row

The group each gave their judgments, beginning from the opposite end of the participant

Experimenter recorded real participants response

In private condition, experimenter asked if participant would like to note down responses, allowing her to operate the computer freely

Real participant would always be asked as they happened to sit closest

3 confederates gave their judgements aloud and participants recorded responses on a score sheet along with their own judgement privately.

Findings

No sex difference in conformity

77% conformed to the wrong confederate judgements on at least one trial

Conformity increased in the in group public conditions

Conclusion

Social categorisation can play a key role in one's decision to conform publicly

Public conformity exceeded average level in the in group conditions but was below norma in out-group conditions

We tend to exaggerate the difference between us and our out-group

Members of our own group should share common set of traits