Chapter 7- Obedience and conformity

UInn 2025

What is conformity in psychology?

A change in behavior or belief resulting from real or imagined group pressure.

What are the two main motives for conformity?

Normative influence (desire to fit in) and informational influence (desire to be correct).

Which classic study demonstrates conformity?

The Asch line judgement experiment (1955).

What happened in Asch's line judgement study?

Participants often conformed to group pressure and gave incorrect answers when confederates did so, even though they knew it was wrong

What percentage of participants conformed at least once in Asch's study?

75% conformed at least once

What is obedience in psychology?

When acting in accordance with a direct order or command from an authority figure.

Which study is most famous for illustrating obedience?

Milgram’s obedience study (1961–1963)

What was Milgram’s experiment about?

Participants ("teachers") were ordered by an authority (experimenter) to administer increasingly strong shocks to a "learner" (confederate)

What percentage of participants delivered the maximum shock in Milgram’s study?

65% delivered the maximum 450-volt shock

What is the main implication of Milgram’s study?

Ordinary people can obey authority figures to the extent of harming others, demonstrating the power of social influence without physical force.

What is a criticism of the Asch conformity study?

The Asch experiments are criticized for low ecological validity, meaning they may not fully reflect real-life social situations outside the lab

Name a bias that can affect interpretation in the Asch study.

Conformation bias: the tendency to seek information confirming one's preconceptions, rather than considering opposing viewpoints.

How do culture and age affect conformity in Asch-type studies?

Conformity is more common in collectivist cultures, among women, and among younger children. Rates have declined in the USA since the 1950s

What is a key limitation of the Milgram obedience study?

Modern ethical guidelines prohibit exact replications due to risks of participant distress and harm; only modified versions are now allowed

What situational factors facilitate high obedience in Milgram’s study?

Factors include the legitimacy of authority, gradual escalation of demands, limited information, and diffusion of responsibility.

What did Milgram’s replications in other countries show?

High obedience rates have been replicated internationally, varying between 28% and 87.5% depending on context.

What recent finding comes from Burger’s (2009) Milgram replication?

About 70% administered a 150-volt shock (“point of no return”), with no gender differences and limited impact of individual empathy

what does neuroscience reveal about conformity?

Neuroimaging shows conformity activates brain networks for task processing, while non-conformity is linked to negative emotional states (amygdala activation)

Name one adaptive benefit of non-conformity.

Both conformity and non-conformity can be adaptive, depending on context. Non-conformity may allow for independent thought and resistance to harmful group norms.