PSYCH 360 Lecture Notes - Authoritarianism, Social Influence
8 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
The process by which the actions of an individual or group affect the behavior of others. Rules for expected or acceptable behavior: scripts, rituals, customs, and traditions, often vary by culture, may vary by subculture. Behavior or belief that moves toward a group consensus as a result of real or imagined group pressure. Conforming to others because we think they know more than we do. Had the participants judge how much a laser pointer moves in a dark room (when in fact it does not move at all). Initially, they gave their own individual answers but after more trials were completed the individuals answers started to converge until they were all along the same answer. People take into effect what other people think. Conforming to avoid the negative social consequences of appearing deviant. to gain rewards (approval/avoid punishments/ostracism). Line test; confederates would at first give the right answer but after later trials, the confederates began to give outrageously incorrect answers.
