Kinesiology 3347A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Mass Psychogenic Illness, Social Proof, Visible Minority

• School: Western University
• Department: Kinesiology
• Course: Kinesiology 3347A/B
• Professor: Vincent Liardi

Document Summary

Conformity: a change in behaviour as a result of the real or imagined influence of other people. The tendency to conform to the behaviour of others is so powerful that it can override behaviours that promote survival, such as avoiding poisonous food. The north american culture stresses the importance of not conforming. Informational social influence: conforming because we believe that others" interpretation of an ambiguous situation is more correct than ours and will help us choose an appropriate course of action. Private acceptance: conforming to other people"s behaviour out of a genuine belief that what they are doing or saying is right. Public compliance: conforming to other people"s behaviour publicly, without necessarily believing in what they are doing or saying. When participants are convinced that the task is important, they are more likely to conform to the group than participants who are led to believe the task is unimportant. Three situations are most likely to produce conformity: ambiguous situations.