PSY220H1 Chapter 6: Conformity
Document Summary
In western individualistic cultures, where submitting to peer pressure is not admired, the word conformity tends to carry a negative connotation. Conformity is not just acting as other people act; it"s also being affected by how they act; it"s acting differently from the way you would act and think if you were alone. Participants who complied until the end in milgram"s studies would often blame the victim for being stupid and that he deserved the shocks administered to him. In trying to break social constraints, we suddenly realize how strong they are; it"s hard to predict behaviour, others" as well as our own. Evil also results from social forces; evil situations can produce evil behaviour. Interpreting events differently after hearing from others; appreciating a tasty food that others love. Soldiers or employees following to shock another questionable orders. The more insecure we are about our judgements, the more influenced we are by others.
