Conformity & Obedience

These flashcards cover key concepts related to conformity and obedience in social psychology, providing definitions and notable studies for review.

Conformity

The act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms.

Solomon Asch

Psychologist known for his 1951 study on conformity and the influence of group pressure on individual beliefs.

Social Psychology

The scientific study of how an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior are influenced by the real, imagined, or implied presence of others.

Normative Influence

Influence that produces conformity when a person fears the negative social consequences of appearing deviant.

Obedience

Changing one’s behavior at the direct command of an authority figure.

Social Norms

Unwritten rules that dictate acceptable behavior within a society or group.

Deindividuation

The loss of a person’s sense of individuality and the reduction of normal constraints against deviant behavior.

Social Facilitation

A process whereby the presence of others enhances performance on easy tasks.

Group Polarization

The strengthening of shared beliefs through discussions, which can lead to more extreme positions.

Groupthink

A kind of thinking that occurs when the group prioritizes cohesiveness over critical evaluation of ideas.