Psychology 2720A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Social Proof, Mass Psychogenic Illness, Working Mass

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2720A/B
• Professor: Rachel Calogero

Document Summary

Conformity: a change in behaviour as a result of the real or imagined influence of others. Conformity may arise in other species as well rats. Tendency to conform is so strong that it can override the survival behaviours. Individualistic cultures stress independence and not conforming: before rating self, they can see how other participants rate themselves. If other student provided a positive self-assessment, the individual did too. Conformity is not good or bad in and of itself (i. e. download a song that lots of others download) Informational social influence the need to know what"s right": Feel uncertain about how to think or act in many situations. Source of knowledge available based on the behaviour of others (conforming) Informational social influence: conform because believe that others" interpretation of ambiguous situation is more correct than ours and will help us choose an appropriate course of action. Asked to focus attention on dot in dark room alone and tell how much it moved.