11. Identify and describe the variables that produce conformity and obedience.
Conformity is adjusting are behavior to some group standard. There are seven variables that tend to predict the likelihood a person is to conform.
1.If we are made to feel incompetent or insecure. We might feel insecure about how our bodies look so we may feel the need to dress a certain way that fits us.
2. If we are in a group with at least three people. The more people you see the less safe you feel to make your own decisions. You don’t want to stand out.
3. If we are in a group where everyone else agrees. There is more of a chance you would agree with the others instead of disagreeing because there would be less of chance for an argument.
4. If we admire the group’s status. If you are with a group of popular kids and they all want to do something the chance of you going along with it whether the idea is good or bad is high. You want to be accepted by them.
5. If we have not made a prior commitment to a any response. Because of feeling less pressure to keep your word or prior commitment.
6. If we know that others in the group will see our behavior. If everyone else is drinking you don’t want to stand out you’ll join in as not to stand out and feel unaccepted.
7.If we are from a culture that strongly encourages respect for social standards. If we are brought up to respect the people around us etc., we might be more likely to conform to traditions that are parts of a friends family.
Obedience is defined as how well we follow direction. There are four variable that influence obedience.
1.When the person giving the orders is close at hand and seen to be a real authority figure. For instance a child is more likely to obey a teachers instructions if the teacher is standing there than if the teacher leaves the room.
2.When the authority figure is supported by a prestigious institution. More people will listen to a doctor saying to take two tylenol than to a friend. They believe the doctor because the doctor is presumed to be educated in the medical field.
3.The victim was depersonalized or in another room. So in this case if you don’t have to directly relate to the person then it’s easier to be oppositional. Also if two siblings are fighting and they go to tell the parent on the other child it’s easier for them to accuse there sibling because of them not being in the same room.
4.There were no role models for defiance. If everyone else is going along with something more than likely so will you to fit in.
Artifact #1
This image of the zebras show how in conformity many people try and be like everyone else just to fit. Although in some cases they just need to stand out to truly express themselves.
Artifact #2
The image with the men help us to put in perspective that when someone who may be well known or who we want to impress, we will agree with them whether we believe this is right or wrong just to get there approval.