Social Influence. PSYCHOLOGY (8th Edition, in Modules) David Myers. Social Psychology. Module 56. Social influence

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1 PSYCHOLOGY (8th Edition, in Modules) David Myers PowerPoint Slides Aneeq Ahmad Henderson State University Worth Publishers, Social Influence Module 56 2 Social Psychology Social influence Conformity and Obedience Group Influence 3 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 1

2 Social Influence The greatest contribution of social psychology is its study of attitudes, beliefs, decisions, and actions and the way they are molded by social influence. 4 Conformity & Obedience Behavior is contagious, modeled by one followed by another. We follow the behavior of others to conform. Other behaviors may be the expression of compliance (obedience) toward authority. OBJECTIVE 56 1 Describe the chameleon effect, and give an example of it. Conformity Obedience 5 The Chameleon Effect Conformity: adjusting one s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard (Chartrand & Bargh, 1999). 6 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 2

3 Group Pressure & Conformity Suggestibility is a subtle type of conformity adjusting our behavior or thinking toward some group standard. OBJECTIVE 56 2 Discuss Asch s experiments on conformity, and distinguish between normative and informational social influence. 7 Group Pressure & Conformity Influence resulting from one s willingness to accept others opinions about reality. 8 Conditions that Strengthen Conformity 1. One is made to feel incompetent or insecure. 2. The group has at least three people. 3. The group is unanimous. 4. One admires the group s status and attractiveness. 5. On has no prior commitment to response. 6. The group observes one s behavior. 7. One s culture strongly encourages respect for social standard. 9 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 3

4 Reasons for Conformity Normative Social Influence: influence resulting from a person s desire to gain approval or avoid rejection. Respecting normative behavior, because price may be severe if not followed. Informative Social Influence: The group may provide valuable information, only stubborn people will never listen to others. 10 Informative Social Influence Baron and colleagues (1996) made students do an eyewitness identification task. If the task was easy (lineup exposure 5 sec.) conformity was low compared to difficult (1/2 sec. exposure) task. 11 Informative Social Influence Baron et al., (1996) 12 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 4

5 People comply to social pressures. But how would they respond to outright command? Obedience Stanley Milgram designed a study that investigated the effects of authority on obedience. Stanley Milgram ( ) 13 OBJECTIVE56 3 Describe Milgram s experiments on obedience, and outline the conditions in which obedience was highest. Milgram s Study 14 Milgram s Study: Results 15 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 5

6 Individual Resistance A third of individuals in Milgram s study resisted social coercion. An unarmed individual single handedly Challenged a line of tanks at Tiananmen Square. 16 Lessons from the Conformity and Obedience Studies In both Ashʹs and Milgramʹs studies participants were pressurized between following their standards and being responsive to others. In Milgram s study, a step forward, participants were torn between hearing victims pleas and experimenter s orders. OBJECTIVE 56 4 Explain how the conformity and obedience studies can help us understand our susceptibility to social influence. 17 Group Influence How do groups affect our behavior? Social psychologists study all kinds of groups: 1. One person affecting another 2. Families 3. Teams 4. Committees 18 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 6

7 Individual Behavior in the Presence of Others Social facilitation: Refers to improved performance on a task in the presence of others. Triplett (1898) noticed cyclists race time were faster when they competed against others than against a clock. OBJECTIVE 56 5 Describe conditions in which the presence of others is likely to result in social facilitation, social loafing, or deindividuation. 19 Social Loafing Tendency of an individual in a group to exert less effort toward attaining a common goal than when tested individually (Latané, 1981). 20 Deindividuation Loss of self awareness and self restraint in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity. Mob behavior 21 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 7

8 Effects of Group Interaction Group Polarization: enhances group s prevailing attitudes through discussion. If a group is likeminded, discussion strengthens its prevailing opinions and attitudes. OBJECTIVE 56 6 Discuss how group interaction can facilitate group polarization and groupthink. 22 Groupthink Mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision making group overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives. Attack on Pearl Harbor Kennedy and Cuban Crisis Watergate Cover up Chernobyl Reactor Accident 23 Power of Individuals The power of social influence is enormous but so is the power of the individual. Non violent fasts and appeals by Gandhi led to the independence of India from the British. Gandhi OBJECTIVE 56 7 Identify the characteristic common to minority positions that sway majorities. 24 Psychology 8 ed., David Myers Module 56 PowerPoint Slides, Aneeq Ahmad 8