14.) Discuss factors influencing conformity
As always with conformity, you should bring in Asch's study and its numerous replications, but after you've explained the gist of the study, state the following four of ten factors that affect conformity and back them up with said replications:
There are six more factors you'll want to talk about:
5. Culture - Individualist vs. Collectivist -
Smith and Bond (1993) - in a view of 31 conformity studies, conformity was lower among participants from individualist cultures than those from collectivist cultures.
6. Minority opinion -
Moscovici and Lage (1976) - two out of six confed. minority swayed participants 32% of the time to make an incorrect answer
Hogg and Vaughan (1995) - developed 3 reasons for minority having such power
- Dissenting opinions cause doubt
- Opinions show previously hidden alternatives
- Consistency shows a commitment to the alternative view
7. False consensus effect - assumption that others will think just like you
8. Social impact theory - close relationships, physical closeness of group, and allies in the group
9. Gender - women more likely to be conformed to
10. Memes - are social or cultural symbols or explanations passed own in a culture - affect conformity
- They help define social norms
- Must be in the In-group to understand
- Competition/ Differences/Discrimination
- Group Size - If the group size is too small or too large, people will not conform - supported by Asch (1955) with increased number of confederates
- Unanimity - (everyone agreeing on same idea) - supported by Asch (1951), original conformity study
- Confidence
- Self-esteem
There are six more factors you'll want to talk about:
5. Culture - Individualist vs. Collectivist -
Smith and Bond (1993) - in a view of 31 conformity studies, conformity was lower among participants from individualist cultures than those from collectivist cultures.
6. Minority opinion -
Moscovici and Lage (1976) - two out of six confed. minority swayed participants 32% of the time to make an incorrect answer
Hogg and Vaughan (1995) - developed 3 reasons for minority having such power
- Dissenting opinions cause doubt
- Opinions show previously hidden alternatives
- Consistency shows a commitment to the alternative view
7. False consensus effect - assumption that others will think just like you
8. Social impact theory - close relationships, physical closeness of group, and allies in the group
9. Gender - women more likely to be conformed to
10. Memes - are social or cultural symbols or explanations passed own in a culture - affect conformity
- They help define social norms
- Must be in the In-group to understand
- Competition/ Differences/Discrimination