conformity Flashcards
(38 cards)
what is social influence
how ppl are affected by the real and imagined pressures of others.
3 ways to yield to influence
obedience = direct commands from authority compliance = direct request from other conformity = norms of social group
3 ways to yield to influence
independence
assertiveness
defiance
when working with partner, the tendency to mimic their motor behaviour is called?
chameleon effect
mimicry as a baby
infants open mouth wide, tap fingers on table, wave bye-bye before clapping, flexing finger, putting hands on head.
mimic simple features first
why might social influence occur
facilitates social interactions
- more likely to mimic when want to belong
related to mood
- mood contagion: mimic face to get that mood.
define conformtiy
tendency to change our perceptions, opinions, behaviour in way that’s consistent with group norms
sherif’s autokinetic effect
optical illusion - looks like light moves.
- participated alone - common perception per person. differs btw ppl
- participated in groups - altho individually different measures, converged on common perception in presence of others
asch’s line judgement study
- line comparison by one subject while in group of confederates
- submit to group: publicly conform, privately different.
sherif vs asch
- conform for diff reasons
sherif = ambiguous. informational influence. private conformity
asch = non-ambiguous situation. normative influence. public conformity
why do ppl conform
- 2 types of influence
- informational influence = conform bc believe others are correct
- - ambiguous situation, external cue as info, influence internal belief
- - private conformtiy - normative influence = conform bc fear negative social consequences
- - clear cut situation, external cue influence behaviour. no change in internal belief.
- - public conformity.
how to tell difference between private and public conformtiy
private: maintain change after group is gone
public: when group is gone, no more compliance.
fMRI in mental rotation task
conform 41% of time
- activation of visuo-spatial area.
- no decision making bc no prefrontal active. group gave info that influenced.
conformity depends on ease of task & motivation
easy task
- low motiv = 1/3 conformed
- high motive = 15% conformed
hard task
- low motiv = 35% conformed
- high motive = 51% conformed.
4 factors of majority influence
- group size
- awareness of norms
- ally in dissent
- sex differences
majority influence - group size
conformity increase ith group size - to a point.
- after 3/4 ppl, more ppl doesnt have huge impact.
- collusion or spineless sheep.
- more persuaded by independence of ppl
what is law of diminishing returns
conformity increases with group size up until a point.
majority influence: awareness of norms
conform when know about and focus on social norms
- often misperceive normative. = pluralistic influence. drinking culture in universities.
majority influence: ally in dissent
asch’s study, w ally conformtiy dropped 80%.
- any dissent can reduce normative pressures to conform
- study: ally either choose 3rd option -wrong. or your correct option. breaks pressure to conform - regardless of the strength of ally’s position.
majority influence and gender influence
- sex differences depend on:
*how comfortable ppl are with experimental task. female conform to masculine tasks, male conform to feminine tasks.
*type of social pressure ppl face. - publically concerned about judgements. men - expected to be bold, fierce = conform less in public
women - expected to be docile = conform more in public.
minority influence
3 steps to exert social influence
- draw attention
- consistency
- unwavering.
consistent dissent approach
forceful, persistent, unwavering in your opinion
if not stubborn or rude - majority tends to rethink their decision
minorities influence by accumulating ??
conform to dissent strategy
idiosyncrasy credits.
how does majority infleunce ?
how does minority influence?
majority- elicit public conformity through normative pressures
minority - private conformity, conversion
