ConformitySlide 2Slide 3Slide 4DeindividuationStanford Prison StudyGroupthinkPowerPoint PresentationSlide 9Slide 10CultsCult MythsObedienceSlide 14Stanley MilgramThe Milgram ParadigmSlide 17Slide 18Slide 19Slide 20Slide 21Obedience FactorsPredictors of DisobedienceConformity- Changing one’s behaviors and opinions because of others actions or beliefs ConformityConformityConformityWhich line- 1, 2, or 3 matches the line on the left card?Unanimity increased conformityLower conformity  when one other person differed from the majoritySize of majorityLow self-esteemAsian cultures more likely to conformConformityDiminished individualityLeads to abandoning inhibitionsUncharacteristic behaviorExamples:Sports FansKu Klux KlanInternetDeindividuationPhillip Zimbardo, 1971Prison simulationCollege students as Prisoners & GuardsEnded after 6 days Stanford Prison StudyGroupthinkAn emphasis on group unanimity at the expense of critical thinkingFailure to evaluate alternative courses of actionSYMPTOM EXAMPLEAn illusion of invulnerability “We can’t possibly fail!”An illusion of unanimity “Obviously, we all agree.”Unquestioned belief in moral correctness “We know we’re on the right side.”Conformity pressure “Don’t rock the boat!”Stereotyping of out-group “They’re all morons.”Self-censorship “I suspect this is a bad idea, but I’d better not say anything.”Mindguards “Oh, you think you know better than the rest of us?”GroupthinkGroupthinkCan be treated by encouraging dissentAppointing a “devil’s advocate”Having an independent expert evaluate decisionsHolding follow-up meetingsGroup polarization can cause views to become more extremeCultsGroups that exhibit intense and unquestioning devotion to a single causePromote groupthink in four major waysHave a persuasive leader who fosters loyaltyDisconnect members from the outside worldDiscourage questioning of assumptionsGradually indoctrinate membersCult MythsCult members are emotionally disturbedMost are normal, but leaders are often seriously mentally illCult members are brainwash ed and turned into unthinking zombiesTechniques do not permanently change beliefsObedience- Form of compliance where people adhere to orders from those of higher authorityFactors:AuthorityHierarchy of powerExamples:German soldiers - WWIIPledges - HazingObedience“When you look at the dark and gloomy history of man, you will find that more hideous crimes have been committed in the name of obedience than have ever been committed in the name of rebellion”Stanley MilgramWanted to know how the Holocaust could have occurredDesigned experiment to test the influence of obedience and authority on normal peopleThe Milgram ParadigmVoluntary subjects were taken to a lab and introduced to a fellow “volunteer” and the researcher“Teachers” (subjects) were supposed to shock the “learners” (confederates) when they did not successfully repeat wordsWith each failure, the shock level increasedThe Milgram ParadigmLearner tells teacher he has “a slight heart condition” before any shocksLearner soon misses some answers, researcher tells teacher to continueBy 330 volts, he is yelling “Let me out of here!”; by 345 he is silentThe Milgram ParadigmThe Milgram ParadigmTwo key themes emerged from follow-ups:The greater psychological distance between teacher and experimenter, the less obedienceGreater the psychological distance between teacher and learner, the more the obedienceObedience FactorsObedience drops when…Authority proximity- Experimenter in different roomVictim proximity- Learner in same roomCredibility- No longer Yale UniversityDissent Example- See experimenters argueEthical issues?Predictors of DisobedienceMore morally advancedLevel of authoritarianismNo sex or cultural differences