Chapter 6: Conformity

Acceptance

Conformity that involves both acting and believing, in accord with social pressure.

autokinetic phenomenon

Self (auto) motion (kinetic). The apparent movement of a stationary point of light in the dark. Perhaps you have experienced this when thinking you have spotted a moving satellite in the sky, only to realize later that it was merely an isolated star.

cohesiveness 

A “we feeling”—the extent to which members of a group are bonded together, such as by attraction for one another.

compliance

Conformity that involves publicly acting in accord with social pressure while privately disagreeing.

Confederate

An accomplice of the experimenter.

conformity

A change in behaviour or belief to accord with others.

informational influence

Conformity that results from accepting evidence about reality provided by other people.

normative influence

Conformity based on a person’s desire to fulfill others’ expectations, often to gain acceptance.

Obedience

Acting in accord with a direct order.

reactance

A motive to protect or restore our sense of freedom. Reactance arises when someone threatens our freedom of action.