The Validation Effect: Social Influence And Group
Human behavior researchers have investigated crowds to determine the consequences they might have on the individual. The research was done this past year when the popular solar eclipse occurred, and large amounts of people gathered all over the world. The scientists wanted to make sure citizens had the proper information about the phenomenon. Based on past findings, it was determined that crowds have more of an effect on us than we realize. Social psychologist, Fergus Neville believes “the validation effect” plays a major part in this process. “The validation effect” is an expansion of the setting the crowd is taking place in, whether that be positive or negative (Neville, 2017). Therefore, it depends on the emotions being experienced along
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One of the main texts under this subdivion illustrates how our “behavior depends heavily on the situation we find ourselves in” (Feldman, Catney, Cavanagh & Dinardo, 2016). Stanford University psychologist Philip Zimbardo conducted a scientific experiment called, “The Prison Study” to find out why inherently good people partook in bad deeds (Feldman, et al., 2016). He later went on to call this occurrence “the Lucifer Effect” (Zimbardo, 2008). Although this inquiry is opposite to the eclipse in its outcome (in that it produced a very negative response), both situations share clear parallels. At first, Zimbardo hypothesized that direct orders do not have to be given for people to act in unusual ways (Feldman, et al., 2016). Thus, a fake prison was set up, and the participants were assigned the role of either guard or prisoner. Originally meant to go on for 2 weeks, the experiment only lasted 6 days due to the possibility of mental repercussions (Zimbardo, 1972). The guards proceeded to treat the inmates horribly by forcing heinous acts, and depriving them of necessities. The guards acted in an abnormal way because of their surroundings, similar to the likeliness of engagement between strangers in a united environment. Also, since the trial was given such a gloomy context, the label ended up being a self-fulfilling prophecy identical to
One of the main texts under this subdivion illustrates how our “behavior depends heavily on the situation we find ourselves in” (Feldman, Catney, Cavanagh & Dinardo, 2016). Stanford University psychologist Philip Zimbardo conducted a scientific experiment called, “The Prison Study” to find out why inherently good people partook in bad deeds (Feldman, et al., 2016). He later went on to call this occurrence “the Lucifer Effect” (Zimbardo, 2008). Although this inquiry is opposite to the eclipse in its outcome (in that it produced a very negative response), both situations share clear parallels. At first, Zimbardo hypothesized that direct orders do not have to be given for people to act in unusual ways (Feldman, et al., 2016). Thus, a fake prison was set up, and the participants were assigned the role of either guard or prisoner. Originally meant to go on for 2 weeks, the experiment only lasted 6 days due to the possibility of mental repercussions (Zimbardo, 1972). The guards proceeded to treat the inmates horribly by forcing heinous acts, and depriving them of necessities. The guards acted in an abnormal way because of their surroundings, similar to the likeliness of engagement between strangers in a united environment. Also, since the trial was given such a gloomy context, the label ended up being a self-fulfilling prophecy identical to