1. What is conformity, and what are its primary types? Discuss the factors influencing conformity.
Answer:
Conformity refers to the change in a person’s behavior or beliefs due to real or imagined group pressure. The two main types of conformity are:
- Normative Conformity: This occurs when individuals conform to the group’s expectations to be liked or accepted, even if they do not agree with the group’s beliefs or actions.
- Informational Conformity: This happens when individuals look to the group for guidance because they believe the group possesses more knowledge and is therefore more likely to be correct.
Factors influencing conformity include:
- Group Size: Larger groups tend to exert more pressure to conform.
- Unanimity: Conformity increases when everyone in the group agrees.
- Cohesion: People are more likely to conform to groups with which they feel a strong sense of belonging.
- Status and Expertise: People are more likely to conform to those in higher positions or with more expertise.
- Cultural Norms: Cultures emphasizing collectivism may see higher rates of conformity.
2. Explain the concept of compliance and provide an example in everyday life.
Answer:
Compliance refers to changing one’s behavior in response to a direct request from another person, even if the person may not necessarily agree with the request. An example of compliance would be a person agreeing to donate money when asked by a charity worker, even if they were initially reluctant to do so. The person complies because of the request, not due to any form of internal belief change.
3. What are the different techniques used to gain compliance? Describe two of them in detail.
Answer:
Several techniques are employed to gain compliance, including:
- Foot-in-the-door Technique: This technique involves first making a small request that is likely to be accepted. Once the person agrees, a larger request is made, which they are more likely to comply with. For example, asking someone to sign a petition and later requesting a donation.
- Door-in-the-face Technique: In contrast, the door-in-the-face technique involves making a large, unreasonable request that is likely to be refused, followed by a much smaller, more reasonable request. The person is more likely to agree to the second request, having declined the first one.
4. What is obedience, and how does it differ from conformity and compliance?
Answer:
Obedience is the act of following orders or commands from an authority figure, often even when it contradicts personal beliefs or values. It differs from conformity, where people change their behavior to match group norms without direct orders, and from compliance, which involves changing one’s behavior in response to a direct request but not necessarily an authoritative figure.
5. Describe Milgram’s study on obedience and its findings.
Answer:
Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiment, conducted in the 1960s, aimed to understand how far people would go in obeying authority, even when the actions conflicted with their morals. Participants were instructed to administer increasingly severe electric shocks to a person (who was actually an actor) whenever they answered questions incorrectly.
The findings were startling: despite the actor’s screams and pleas to stop, 65% of participants obeyed the authority figure (the experimenter) and administered the highest level of shock. This study revealed that people were willing to follow authority even when it meant causing harm to others, highlighting the power of authority figures in determining behavior.
6. What are the factors that influence obedience according to Milgram’s study?
Answer:
Milgram identified several factors influencing obedience:
- Proximity of the Authority Figure: Obedience rates were higher when the authority figure was present in the same room.
- Proximity of the Victim: Participants were less likely to obey when they could see or hear the victim’s pain.
- Legitimacy of the Authority: The more legitimate the authority figure appeared (such as wearing a lab coat), the more likely participants were to obey.
- Presence of Dissenters: Obedience was lower when others in the room refused to comply with the authority figure’s orders.
7. How does social influence affect decision-making in group settings?
Answer:
Social influence can significantly impact decision-making in group settings through mechanisms such as groupthink, conformity, and social pressure. In groupthink, members of a group prioritize harmony and consensus over critical thinking, which can lead to poor decision-making. Additionally, individuals may conform to the majority opinion, even if they have doubts about the decision, to avoid conflict or exclusion. Peer pressure and the desire for approval can further influence decisions, often leading individuals to make choices they might not have made on their own.
8. What is the concept of “groupthink” and how does it affect group decision-making?
Answer:
Groupthink is a phenomenon where the desire for group consensus and harmony leads to irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcomes. It occurs when group members suppress dissenting viewpoints, fail to critically evaluate alternatives, and prioritize unanimity over a rational analysis of the situation. This can result in poor decisions, as seen in historical examples like the Bay of Pigs invasion.
To prevent groupthink, it’s important to encourage open dialogue, promote diverse perspectives, and create an environment where disagreement is seen as constructive.
9. Explain the theory of informational social influence with an example.
Answer:
Informational social influence occurs when people conform to others’ behaviors or opinions because they believe the others have accurate information. This is often seen in uncertain situations where individuals are unsure of the correct course of action and turn to others for guidance. For example, if someone is attending a formal event for the first time, they might observe the behavior of others to determine what is appropriate to wear or how to behave, assuming others are more knowledgeable.
10. What is normative social influence, and how does it differ from informational social influence?
Answer:
Normative social influence is when individuals conform to the behaviors or beliefs of a group to be accepted or liked, often without necessarily believing the group’s opinions themselves. This contrasts with informational social influence, where people conform because they believe the group has more accurate information. Normative influence is driven by the desire for social approval, whereas informational influence is driven by the desire to be correct.
11. Describe how group size affects conformity.
Answer:
Conformity tends to increase as group size increases, but only up to a certain point. Research has shown that conformity is more likely when a group consists of three or more people. However, after reaching a group size of about four or five, the impact on conformity levels diminishes. This is because larger groups provide more pressure to conform, but once the group becomes too large, individuals may feel less responsible for their actions and less influenced by others.
12. How do cultural differences impact social influence?
Answer:
Cultural norms play a significant role in determining the level of social influence individuals experience. In collectivist cultures, where group harmony and interdependence are prioritized, people are more likely to conform to the norms and expectations of the group. In contrast, individualistic cultures value independence and self-expression, and individuals in these cultures may be less influenced by group pressures. However, conformity and social influence are present to some degree in all cultures, though the strength of influence may vary.
13. What role does social status play in compliance and obedience?
Answer:
Social status plays a significant role in both compliance and obedience. Individuals are more likely to comply with requests or obey instructions from people with higher social status, perceived authority, or expertise. For example, a subordinate is more likely to follow a superior’s instructions in the workplace, and a child is more likely to obey a parent or teacher. Authority figures with high social status are often seen as more legitimate, which makes their commands more likely to be followed.
14. What is the role of anonymity in reducing conformity?
Answer:
Anonymity can reduce conformity by lowering the pressure to conform to social norms or group expectations. When individuals feel anonymous, they may be less concerned about how others perceive their behavior, making them more likely to act according to personal beliefs rather than conforming to group expectations. Anonymity can also reduce the fear of rejection or judgment, encouraging more authentic self-expression.
15. Discuss the concept of “the authoritarian personality” and its relevance to obedience.
Answer:
The authoritarian personality is a psychological concept introduced by Theodor Adorno, which suggests that some individuals have personality traits that predispose them to obey authority figures without questioning them. These individuals often value conventionalism, authority, and adherence to social rules. The authoritarian personality is linked to higher obedience because such individuals are more likely to respect and follow authority figures unquestioningly.
16. Explain the concept of “social impact theory” in the context of group influence.
Answer:
Social impact theory, developed by Bibb Latané, suggests that the influence of others on an individual’s behavior is determined by three factors: the strength of the source (e.g., the authority figure), the immediacy (proximity) of the source, and the number of sources (e.g., the number of people in the group). According to this theory, the more powerful, immediate, and numerous the sources of influence, the greater the social impact and conformity will be.
17. What is the “bystander effect,” and how does it relate to social influence?
Answer:
The bystander effect refers to the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when others are present. Social influence plays a key role in this behavior: people often look to others to determine if action is needed, and in the presence of multiple bystanders, they may assume someone else will take responsibility. The more bystanders there are, the less likely any individual is to intervene.
18. How does the concept of social norms influence conformity?
Answer:
Social norms are the unwritten rules of behavior that are considered acceptable within a group or society. These norms influence conformity by providing a standard for appropriate behavior. People conform to social norms to avoid being judged or rejected by the group, and the more strongly a group holds these norms, the more likely individuals are to conform.
19. Describe how role models can influence social behavior and decision-making.
Answer:
Role models influence social behavior by providing examples of how individuals should act in certain situations. People tend to imitate the behaviors, attitudes, and decisions of role models, especially if these individuals are admired or respected. For example, children often imitate the actions of their parents or teachers, and adults may follow the behaviors of influential leaders in their community or society.
20. What are the ethical concerns associated with studies on obedience and conformity?
Answer:
Ethical concerns related to obedience and conformity studies include issues of deception, lack of informed consent, and psychological harm. Milgram’s obedience study, for example, caused significant distress to participants, as they were led to believe they were harming others. Ethical guidelines now emphasize the importance of participant well-being, informed consent, and minimizing harm in psychological research.
