Social Psych Exam 2 Studies

Hofling, C. K., Brotzman (1966), Obedience Can be Deadly (Nurses and prescribing Astroten)

This study demonstrated that nurses were willing to administer a potentially harmful drug, Astroten, to patients when instructed to do so by a phone call from an unfamiliar physician, highlighting the influence of authority on obedience and ethical decision-making in medical settings.

Milgram (1963), Obedience/Shock Study

Investigated obedience to authority by instructing participants ('teachers') to administer increasingly severe electric shocks (15V to 450V) to an unseen learner (a confederate) for wrong answers; 65% obeyed fully to the maximum 450 volts. Role of Gender: Subsequent replications with female participants showed identical rates of obedience (65%) to males, although women reported higher subjective stress and tension. Ethical Considerations: Generated severe controversy over psychological distress (sweating, trembling, seizures), extensive deception, and verbal prods that compromised the participants' right to withdraw, directly leading to modern institutional review board (IRB) ethics standards.

Burger (2009) Partial Replication of Milgram

This study aimed to replicate Milgram's findings while addressing ethical concerns, showing that about 70% of participants were willing to administer high levels of shocks, supporting the original study's conclusions about obedience.

Sherif (1936) Autokinetic Effect Study

This study examined the autokinetic effect, where a stationary point of light appears to move in a dark room, showcasing how individuals' judgments were influenced by group norms during estimation tasks. It highlighted the formation of social norms through group interaction.

Asch (1951) Line Judgment Study

This study investigated conformity by having participants judge the length of lines in groups, where confederates gave incorrect answers. About 75% of participants conformed to the group's incorrect responses at least once, demonstrating the power of group pressure on individual judgment.

Understand the role of culture, gender, and minority influence in the Asch paradigm

A Novel Perspective on the Asch Paradigm from Lee Ross, Günter Bierbraurer, and Susan Hoffman (1976)

This study offered a different viewpoint on the Asch paradigm by exploring how cultural factors and minority influence can affect conformity rates. It emphasized the importance of context in understanding social behaviors related to group conformity.

They argued against what Solomon Asch proposed (“attribution crisis”)

Freedman & Fraser (1966), Foot-in-the-door technique

This study explored the foot-in-the-door technique by demonstrating that individuals who initially agreed to a small request were more likely to comply with a larger, related request later. It illustrated how commitment to a minor request can increase the likelihood of agreeing to subsequent requests.

Cialdini et al (1975), Door in the face technique

A compliance strategy where a persuader makes an extreme, large request that is almost certainly refused (getting a "door in the face"), followed by a smaller, more moderate request—which is the target request all along. Researchers at Arizona State University asked college students if they would volunteer to counsel juvenile delinquents for 2 hours a week for 2 years. Unsurprisingly, 100% refused this extreme initial request.

The researchers then followed up with a smaller request: asking them to chaperone a group of juvenile delinquents on a single 2-hour trip to the zoo.

When exposed to the rejection-then-moderation sequence, significantly more people agreed to the zoo trip compared to a control group asked only to do the zoo trip directly.

Rabbie & Horwitz (1969), Transistor Radio Study

This study investigated how intergroup conflict and competition could influence attitudes and behaviors towards in-group and out-group members. It highlighted the effects of resource scarcity on group dynamics and the tendency to favor one's own group.

Johnson, R. W. (1981), Perceived physical attractiveness of supporters of Canada’s political parties

This study examined how the perceived physical attractiveness of individuals influenced their likability and support for various political parties in Canada. It highlighted the role of attractiveness in political perception and voter behavior.

Jones, Wood, and Quattrone (1981), Student Eating Club Study

This study examined the influence of group membership on attitudes toward eating in social contexts. It found that individuals perceived members of their in-group as more appealing and likable than out-group members, affecting their social interactions.

Brauer & Er-rafiy (2011), Increasing Perceived Variability Reduces Prejudice and Discrimination

This study examined how increasing perceived variability within groups can lead to reductions in prejudice and discrimination towards out-group members. It suggested that acknowledging diversity within groups can improve intergroup relations.

Levine et al (2005), In group Biases in Helping (Sports fans)

This study explored how sports fans exhibit in-group biases in helping behaviors, showing that individuals are more likely to assist fellow fans of their team compared to supporters of opposing teams. It underscores the impact of group identity on altruistic actions.