Ch 6 Conformity and Obedience

Chapter 6: Conformity and Obedience

1. Definition of Conformity

  • Conformity: A change in behavior or belief due to real or imagined group pressure.

2. Types of Conformity (Kelman, 1958)

  • Normative Conformity: Conforming to be accepted by a group.

  • Informational Conformity: Conforming due to lack of information, assuming others are correct.

  • Compliance: Publicly conforming while privately disagreeing.

  • Internalization: Conforming and genuinely believing the group is correct.

  • Ingratiational Conformity: Conforming to gain approval or praise from others.

  • Identification: Conforming to fit into a social role or expectation.

3. Difference Between Compliance & Obedience

  • Compliance: Following a request (even if one disagrees).

  • Obedience: Following a direct order from authority.

4. Classic Theories of Conformity & Obedience

Sherif’s Studies of Norm Formation (1935)

  • Method: Used the autokinetic effect (illusion of light movement) to show norm formation.

  • Findings: People’s estimates converged over time, demonstrating group influence on social norms.

  • Applications:

    • Social Contagion: Behaviors like yawning, laughing, or coughing are copied.

    • Mass Hysteria: Panic spreads rapidly through groups.

    • Chameleon Effect: People naturally mimic others' behaviors and postures.

Asch’s Study of Group Pressure (1951)

  • Method: Participants matched line lengths.

  • Findings: 37% conformed to the group's incorrect answer.

  • Conclusion: People conform even when answers are clearly wrong.

Milgram’s Obedience Experiment (1963)

  • Method: Participants administered shocks to a "learner" for wrong answers.

  • Results: 65% obeyed to the highest (450V) shock level.

  • Burger (2006) replication: Obedience decreased, but many still obeyed.

5. Factors That Increase Obedience

  1. Victim’s Distance: Obedience increases when the victim is not seen or heard.

  2. Closeness & Legitimacy of Authority:

    • Obedience dropped to 21% when orders were given by phone.

    • Touch increases obedience (e.g., a light touch improves compliance).

  3. Institutional Authority:

    • Yale's reputation increased obedience levels; lesser-known locations reduced obedience to 48%.

6. Predictors of Conformity

  1. Group Size: Conformity is strongest in groups of 3-5 individuals.

  2. Unanimity: Just one nonconforming individual can reduce conformity.

  3. Cohesion: Stronger influence in more united groups.

  4. Status: Higher-status individuals exert greater influence.

  5. Public Response: People tend to conform more when responses are public.

7. Reasons for Conformity

  • Normative Influence: Conforming to gain approval or avoid rejection.

  • Informational Influence: Conforming because others seem more knowledgeable.

    • Example: Checking restaurant reviews before deciding where to eat.

8. Who Conforms?

  1. Personality: A weak predictor; social influence tends to be a stronger factor.

  2. Culture:

    • Collectivist cultures show high conformity (e.g., Bantu in Zimbabwe = 52%).

    • Individualist cultures tend to conform less (e.g., Hong Kong = 32%).

  3. Social Roles: People conform when taking on new roles (e.g., Zimbardo’s Prison Study).

9. Why Some People Resist Conformity

  • Reactance: Resistance to protect personal freedom (common in teenagers breaking rules).

  • Asserting Uniqueness: Individuals in individualist cultures may resist to avoid similarity to others.

10. Summary of Key Takeaways

  1. Conformity is influenced by group pressure, social norms, and authority figures.

  2. Classic studies (Sherif, Asch, Milgram) demonstrate the ease with which individuals conform and obey.

  3. Conformity is more pronounced in larger, cohesive, high-status groups, especially in public contexts.

  4. Obedience increases when authority is close, credible, and associated with respected institutions.

  5. Resistance to conformity can arise from a need for independence or desire for uniqueness.