Summary post-discussion #3 I spy…
Learning goals
Conformity
People change perceptions/opinions/behavior in ways that are consistent with a group.
Through either explicit or implicit cues.
Variables that influence amount of conformity
Group size (social impact theory: number)
3-5 people > peak in conformity
When this many people agree, individuals can still be perceived as independent.
Law of diminishing returns. More people don’t add value anymore.
Task difficulty
Hard task > uncertainty/ambiguous > +social referencing (trying to define reality) > +
conformity > norm is established > preserved in the long run.
High motivation to be correct/accurate (baron et al.)
Increases conformity when uncertain of the right answer
Decreases conformity when certain of the right answer
Autokinetic task experiment by Sheriff
Unanimity
Unanimous group > + conformism
1 dissenter = ally > - conformism
Type of dissent is irrelevant.
Personal factors
Competence > knowledge > confidence > certainty > - conformism
Circumstance in which fitting in is vital
- Being a minority (gender, sexuality, religion, culture)
- Insecurity/sensitivity (As being ostracized physically hurts/ isn’t beneficial
evolutionary)
Cultural context
- Collectivist cultures
= likely to conform with people that belong to their traditional culture (preserve
harmony that is strived for in these cultures)
- Individualist cultures
= less likely to conform, the individual is prioritized over group harmony etc.
Gender
Females conform more than men in public/romantic situations, because of social pressure.
Familiarity
Males conform more when having to answer female questions
Females conform more when having to answer male questions
Social impact theory
1. Strength
2. Immediacy
3. Size (of group)
Learning goals
Conformity
People change perceptions/opinions/behavior in ways that are consistent with a group.
Through either explicit or implicit cues.
Variables that influence amount of conformity
Group size (social impact theory: number)
3-5 people > peak in conformity
When this many people agree, individuals can still be perceived as independent.
Law of diminishing returns. More people don’t add value anymore.
Task difficulty
Hard task > uncertainty/ambiguous > +social referencing (trying to define reality) > +
conformity > norm is established > preserved in the long run.
High motivation to be correct/accurate (baron et al.)
Increases conformity when uncertain of the right answer
Decreases conformity when certain of the right answer
Autokinetic task experiment by Sheriff
Unanimity
Unanimous group > + conformism
1 dissenter = ally > - conformism
Type of dissent is irrelevant.
Personal factors
Competence > knowledge > confidence > certainty > - conformism
Circumstance in which fitting in is vital
- Being a minority (gender, sexuality, religion, culture)
- Insecurity/sensitivity (As being ostracized physically hurts/ isn’t beneficial
evolutionary)
Cultural context
- Collectivist cultures
= likely to conform with people that belong to their traditional culture (preserve
harmony that is strived for in these cultures)
- Individualist cultures
= less likely to conform, the individual is prioritized over group harmony etc.
Gender
Females conform more than men in public/romantic situations, because of social pressure.
Familiarity
Males conform more when having to answer female questions
Females conform more when having to answer male questions
Social impact theory
1. Strength
2. Immediacy
3. Size (of group)
