Conformity and Obedience The desire to be accepted and belong to a group is an undeniable human need. But how does this need affect an individual? Social psychologists have conducted numerous experiments and concluded that‚ through various forms of social influence‚ groups can change their members ’ thoughts‚ feelings‚ and behavior. In her essay "Group Minds‚" Doris Lessing discusses our paradoxical ability to call ourselves individuals and our inability to realize that groups define
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Conformity and Obedience. In order to answer the question it is first necessary to define conformity and obedience. According to Woods‚ (2001 p. 107): ‘ We often adjust our actions or opinions so that they fit in well with those of other people. This is known as social conformity ......’ And Gross‚ (2001 pg.392) stated that: Obedience is affected by direction (from somebody in higher authority). This essay will explore circumstances in which we are likely to conform;
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Outline and evaluate explanations of conformity. (12 marks) Normative social influence says people conform because they feel they need to be accepted and belong to the group. They accept the majorities’ views publicly‚ but privately they disagree – this type of conformity is compliance. The majority control the other group members‚ and use the fear of rejection to get others to conform. This is because humans are a social species and need companionship and are afraid of rejection. Research to support
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Outline and evaluate the research into conformity Conformity is a change in behaviour or belief as a result of group or imagined pressure. One study into conformity would be Sheriff’s study (1935). In this he aimed to investigate the development of group norms and conformity into those norms. He did this by using the autokinect effect. This is where a spot of light is shown in a dark room and appeared to move around. The autokinect was first shown to pps as individuals and then in a group and then
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Describing a study on conformity Conformity is a form of social influence which involves a change in a belief or behaviour in order to fit in with a particular group. This change is in response to real (involving the physical presence of others) or imagined (involving the pressure of social norms / expectations) group pressure. SHERIF Muzafer Sherif (1935) conducted a lab experiment study on conformity in 1935. Sherif conducted this study by putting participants in a dark room and told them
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Conformity and Obedience Task: outline and evaluate findings from conformity and obedience research and consider explanations for conformity (and non-conformity)‚ as well as evaluating Milgram’s studies of obedience (including ethical issues). The following essay will be about understanding what is meant by and distinguishing the differences between the terms conformity and obedience. It will show the evaluation of two key psychological studies which seek to explain why people do and do not conform
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Conformity and Obedience Starting from a very young age‚ it is considered the norm to obey and to conform. The purpose of this essay is to evaluate a study for conformity and obedience. Conformity can be defined as a change in one self‚ when one gives in to group pressure‚ in order to fit in to society. Obedience on the other hand is when you are told what to do. The difference between the two are‚ when we conform it is usually down to peer pressure. Where as in obedience you are taking orders from
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Conformity and Obedience Why do we conform? Two basic sources of influence: normative social influence‚ the need to be liked‚ accepted by others and Informational influence: need to be correct and to behave in accordance with reality. Solomon Asch (1956) devised an experiment to see if subjects would conform even if they were uncertain that the group norm was incorrect. In his study he asked subjects to take part in an experiment. They were each asked to match a standard length line with three
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Conformity Being unique is a way to express oneself as an individual and as a person. Some say being an individual is going against the social norm or not conforming to the unwritten laws of society. Conformity can be a group‚ or society that people take part in who are expected to abide by. Being unique can cause one to face ridicule and isolation. In today’s society‚ the ongoing need for girls to conform to their peers is more important than ever. In the poem‚ Barbie Doll a girl is made
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One of society’s popular issues – conformity‚ is the act of one individual likely to change his or her thoughts‚ behaviors‚ and attitudes in order to fit in a group or to follow social norms. Norms are understood as unspoken‚ invisible rules appeared by a group of people then spread out to the whole community. Conformity occurs in various environment and situations‚ which fashion trends‚ plastic surgery‚ and tattooed people are some typical examples (depends on the case). Furthermore‚ when talking
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