PSYC 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Binge Drinking, Cognitive Dissonance, Social Proof
20 Oct 2017
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Document Summary
Tendency to think or act like others in a social group: informational influence, normative influence. Muzafer sherif"s (1935) classic work on the autokinetic effect: Participants judge the movement of a spot of light (this is actually stationary) Participants asked to judge length of a line in comparison to others. 75% gave wrong answer at least once (compared to 5% when alone) likely works because of normative influence. Roles that are chosen may be particularly effective: guards vs. prisoners; masters vs. slaves. The power of cognitive dissonance: small increments in violent acts can change attitudes leading to more violent acts, dehumanizing the enemy during wat with degrading nick names, hitler"s incremental justification of the treatment of the jewish people. Adjustment of individual behaviours, attitudes and beliefs to the orders of an anuthority figure. Could be good, could be bad: bad= destructive obedience. Personal characteristics not important: politician orientation, occupation, religious beliefs, etc obedience: take home message:
