WEEK 3: OBEDIENCE, CONFORMITY AND DEINDIVIDUATION

WEEK 3: Obedience, Conformity and Deindividuation Obedience to Authority Group Pressure and Conformity The Dark Side of Deindividuation

1. Obedience to Authority '60's research regarding obedience to authority - Astroten study nurses gave twice recommended dose - "blind obedience when asked - people said they would never do this Stanley Milgram most famous for Obedience research most famous experiment shows more that even while they did object, this didn't stop them for carry through the aweful actions Context of Milgram's Study - 1960's USA, famous for people questioning authority. Reason for study was Hitler as Milgram was Jewish, people made the Fundamental Attrbution Error and ignored context.  Zero people checked on the Learner, most who pushed through 150 volts went all the way Ethical Issues - was the experiment ethical to the participants Contemporary Research - in line with Milgram's results

2. Group Pressure and Confirmity Conformity is a change in behavior or beliefs due to social pressure Solomon Asch Study - conformity in visual test in a classroom setting, conformity seemed high as not part of a cohesive society, not penalties for wrong answers and the wrong answer was embarrassing  Meta-analysis showed woman conform more than men, conformity has steadily declined, conformity increase as the majority increases from 2-13 and conformity increases in collectivist vs individualistic countries culture is the most important factor influencing conformity minority influence on the majority - a consistent minority can have a significant influence, but must be consistent

3. De-Individuation De-Individuation occurs when individuals are not seen as or paid attention to as individuals. The members do not feel that they stand out as individuals which reduces their inner constraint from doing certain things such as singing and dancing or lynchings and riots conditions that increase the chance of de-individuation include anonymity, group size, diffused responsibility, physical and mental arousal, altered time perspective, physical involvement, sensory overload and altered states of consciousness Quiet Rage - Phillip Zambardo - Stanford Prison Experiment big ethical issues - informed consent and right to withdraw the outcome main lesson - good people can be seduced/induced to behave in evil ways main lesson - situations matter and can have a profound effect on people's behavior consistent with conformity (Asch) and obedience (Milgram)

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