Conformity and Obedience to Authority

What is Conformity? Quick Write: What do you think of when you hear the word ‘conformity’? Why do people conform? What are some examples of conformity that you observe in high school? In society in general?

What is Conformity? Conformity can be defined as adjusting one's behavior or thinking to match those of other people or a group standard. There are lots of reasons why people conform, including the desire/need to fit in or be accepted by others and maintaining order in one’s life.

Types of Conformity Herbert Kelman (1958) suggests 3 types: Compliance- A change in behavior without a change in opinion (going along with the group). Identification- Adopting the group's views because group membership is valued - often temporary. Internalization- A change in behavior and opinion. 'True Conformity'

Partner Activity: (5-10 minutes) Create a scenario that illustrates each type: Compliance- A change in behavior without a change in opinion (going along with the group). Identification- Adopting the group's views because value group membership. Often temporary. Internalization- A change in behavior and opinion. 'True Conformity'.

Quick Questions… Is CONFORMITY a good or a bad thing? Why? What are three social norms that you are glad exist? What would life be like WITHOUT social norms? In your opinion, why do people conform?

The Solomon Asch Experiment The Asch conformity experiments were a series of studies that demonstrate the power of conformity in groups Experimenters led by Solomon Asch asked students to participate in a "vision test." In reality, all but one of the participants were accomplices of the experimenter, and the study was really about how the remaining student would react to the confederates' behavior.

The Solomn Asch Experiment The participants -- the real subjects and those involved in the experiment-- were all seated in a classroom where they were told to announce their judgment of the length of several lines drawn on a series of displays. They were asked which line was longer than the other, which were the same length, etc. Those involved in the experiment had been prearranged to all give an incorrect answer to the tests.

The Solomon Asch Experiment

IMPLICATIONS OF ASCH? What conclusions can be drawn from Asch’s experiment regarding how individuals behave in a group situation?

Group Break

Obedience to Authority "Be quiet! Sit down!“ “Pay attention!” How often have you heard this, or something like it? We hear or come across commands, instructions, directions and orders everyday….and follow them.

What is it that makes us obey (or disobey)? Millions of people were killed in Nazi Germany in concentration camps but Hitler couldn't have killed them all, nor could a handful of people. What made all those people follow the orders they were given? Were they afraid, or was there something in their personality that made them like that? In order to obey authority, the obeying person has to accept that it is legitimate for the command to be made of them.

Obedience to Authority Explanations of why we obey fall into one of two groups: We obey because of social pressures, awards, & influences in the environment, including fear -or- We obey because of some characteristic of our personality

The Milgram Experiment Milgram (1963) wanted to investigate the level of obedience to an authority figure, in this case a Yale University psychologist, when the result of the obedience was believed by the participant to be to inflict pain on another 'volunteer', even to the extent that no one could be expected to suffer the amount of pain and to survive. Milgram asked various people the maximum voltage they would give before refusing to continue. This is what he found:

Predictions by following groups of level at which people would refuse to administer shock (%) Actual shock levels at which subjects refused to continue (%) Shock level (volts) PsychiatristsStudentsMiddle class adults Slight shock (15 v) Moderate shock Strong shock Very strong shock Intense shock Extremely intense shock Danger, severe shock XXX shock (450 v)

The Milgram Experiment Milgram thought that by “intense shock” people would have stopped obeying. In fact, only 35% had refused to obey by 450 volts, an alarming 65% therefore willing to give the full “XXX shock.” The predictions of the extent of obedience are much less than the actual levels of obedience.

Milgram & Role Playing link

Why did people obey? Legitimacy of the authority figure: Compared with experiments in a run-down office building, subjects were far more obedient in the highly respected and trusted environment of a prestigious university. When the experimenter wore a gray rather than white lab coat, obedience dropped. Proximity of the victim: When the teacher and the learner were much closer to each other obedience dropped. If the teacher actually had to touch the learner obedience dropped even further. Diffusion of responsibility: When the teacher didn't have to press the switch but someone else did, obedience rose to 92.5 % (as compared to the 65% above) Proximity of the experimenter: When the experimenter left the room, obedience dropped

Implications of Milgram What conclusions can be drawn from Milgram’s experiment regarding how individuals are obedient to authority?

The Stanford Prison Experiment A study designed to study the psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or a guard. (Role playing) Conducted in 1971 by Stanford Psychology Professor Phillip Zimbardo. Students were assigned to a role of either prisoner or guard and acted out their roles in the basement of one of the Stanford buildings. The experiment was supposed to last for several weeks, but was shut down after only one week.

Conformity and Obedience to Authority Video feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safe ty_mode=1

The Big Question… Is there any difference between the roles played by those in the Stanford Prison Experiment (guard and prisoner) and the roles we play in the grand experiment of society?

Connections to Literature …. Take note of the concepts of CONFORMITY and OBEDIENCE TO AUTHORITY as you read The Crucible