PS270 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Group Cohesiveness, Diminishing Returns
Document Summary
In western cultures the term conformity carries a negative connotation. In japan, going along with others is a sign of tolerance, self control, and maturity. We choose labels to suit our values and judgements which both describe and evaluate. Acting as others act but also being affected by how they act. Thinking or acting differently from the way you would think and act alone. Conforming to an expectation or request without really believing in what we are doing. If our compliance is to an explicit command. Genuinely believing what the group has persuaded us to do. Joining millions of others in exercising because we accept it as being healthy. The short lived memories that underlie public compliance have a different neural basis than the memories that underlie longer term private acceptance. Sometimes follows compliance; we may come to inwardly believe something we initially questioned. Conformity grows if the judgements are difficult or if the subjects feel incompetent.
