Social Norms and Conformity

1. Social Norms and Conformity Social norms and roles Solomon asch experiment Factors of Conformity

2. Today’s Learning Goals By the end of the lesson students can state the following... I can explain social norms and the various roles undertaken in the process of socialization on an individual; I can explain and analyze the psychological impact (need) of group cohesion (the desire to conform).

3. Reviewing Social Institutions and Roles Over the past few days we have discussed social institutions as well as roles and expectations of people within them We have learned that people must conform in order for any social institution to function properly These expected behaviours can be referred to as a social norm

4. Social Norms A social normrefers to the societal expectations that guide people’s behaviour Example: Students in school are expected to be obedient by listening and following instructions, polite and respectful to others while they are speaking, working, or attempting to learn, etc. Social norms also apply to customs within a society Example: in Canada the law states that we shall drive on the right-hand side of the road whereas, in Britain and most of Europe, people drive on the left-hand side

5. Levels of Social Norms Norms vary depending on the degree of formality – how they are stated and enforced: • Folkways –informal practices based on tradition or expected group behaviour • Example: Saying excuse me to get around someone in your way • Mores – norms that involve moral or ethical judgments • Example: Lying or cheating on a test • Laws – formal rules enforced by designated individuals within a society • Example: a law (no speeding) is enforced by signs and police officers

6. Types of Social Norms There are two types of social norms: • Prescriptive Norms tell us what to do • Example: Saying thank you for a gift • Proscriptive Norms tell us what not to do • Example: Not chewing with your mouth open • For society to function people must conform to both types of norms most of the time

7. Conformity • Conformity is any behaviour that follows an established practice or social norm (expectations for behaviour) • The group, the situation, and the importance of the norm will affect the degree to which an individual conforms • Example: Our friends can wear a wide range of clothing, but the military requires all members to wear a uniform) • The expected level of conformity will vary from culture to culture and topic to topic

8. What If We Don’t Conform? Conformity is a particularly important behaviour W/out conformity, social life simply would not exist There would be no churches, families, universities or governments Essentially there would be no culture or social structure b/c we would never interact or get along

9. But Why Do People Conform? Ppl have a natural tendency to want to ‘fit in’ (aka conform) Humans are social beings We seek comfort in others for safety Recall Harlow’s Rhesus Monkey experiments and specifically the baby looking for security from the cloth mother People act in a similar manner

10. CONFORMITY - Behaviour and Belonging Belonging to a group affects behaviour Quitting Smoking Study: http://www.psychologytoday.com/print/20168 Groups expect members to act and think in a certain way Elevator Conformity Study: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC_JfCWYnTQ&feature=related

11. Types of Conformity Compliance – Publically acting in agreement with social pressures, but internally disagreeing. This best describes a person who is motivated to get a reward or avoid punishment. In this example researchers found little difference between animals and humans. (Asch’s Experiment)

12. Identification – Conforming for the purpose of putting yourself in a satisfying position with the person you wish to identify with. (ie. Wanting to be just like your father)

13. Internalization - Motivated by the desire to be right. Acting on social pressures but coming to agree and believe the person who we are conforming with because they are perceived to be right and have good judgment. This method of conformity becomes tightly ingrained in an individual because it becomes part of our belief system.

14. The “Asch” Experiment CARD A CARD B

15. What line on the right (either A, B, or C) is the same as the line on the left?

16. Solomon Asch Experiment (1958) – A Study of Conformity and Group Pressure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRh5qy09nNw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYIh4MkcfJA

17. The “Asch” Experiment • 7 subjects were selected to participate • Subjects were shown one standard line on a card and then told to compare it to a line on a card with three lines on it • Task was to determine which comparison line (line on card B) was equal to the standard line (line on card A) • All subjects except one were coached to answer incorrectly • The purpose of the study was to determine whether the uncoached person would give the incorrect answer in an effort to conform to the responses of the other participants

18. The “Asch” Experiment Results • Approximately 1/3 of the uncoached subjects agreed with the incorrect answer • Most subjects who gave the incorrect answer concluded that their own perceptions must be incorrect since the majority of the group saw things differently

19. Asch found that three different kinds of reactions had contributed to the conformity: 1. Distortion of perception: A number of subjects said they were not aware their responseshad been distorted by the majority. They came to see the majority responses as correct.

20. 2. Distortion of judgment:Most of the subjects who conformedto the majority concluded their own perceptions were inaccurate. Lacking confidence in their own observations, they reported not what they saw but what they felt must be correct.

21. 3. Distortion of action:A number of subjects admitted that they had not reported what they had in fact seen. They said they had conformedso as not to appear different or stupid in the eyes of other group members.

22. Why Makes People Conform Studies conducted by sociologists have identified the following conditions in which people are more likely to conform. Factors of Conformity…

23. When the group is like them in the first place.If the group has the same values and interests and comes from a similar background, people are more likely to conform. When the person or group is popular or has high status. Researchers found subjects were less likely to jaywalk when a respectably dressed model did not jaywalk. But the subjects didn’t hesitate to jaywalk when a poorly dressed (apparently low-status) model did not jaywalk.

24. When the person or group is trustworthy or an expert. When individuals are uncertain they often follow the lead of someone they trust or who is an expert on the subject. When the person is able to offer rewards or punishments. Often people in authority offer rewards or hand out punishments to make others conform to their wishes. Social psychologists call this type of conformity compliance.

25. When the person or group is attractive. People like to identify with those people who are physically more attractive or admired. By conforming, they hope people will identify themselves as being attractive too.

26. The ZimbardoPrison Experiment Psychologist Philip Zimbardo was interested in testing the limits of human conformity Zimbardo set-up a 2-week experiment involving fake prisoners and guards Zimbardo had to terminate the experiment after 6 days b/c the lives of the participants soon became jeopardized

27. The Zimbardo prison Experiment - Questions • What does this experiment teach us about social roles and norms and their connection to conformity? • Write a paragraph response in your notes. • Was this experiment unethical? • Explain and give reasons/examples • http://vimeo.com/14169907

28. Obedience • The act or an instance of obeying; dutiful or submissive behaviour – to be compliant • Why do people obey? • Fear • Less power • Out of duty

29. What can Collective Behaviour, Obedience and Conformity lead to? • CULTS: • A group, usually with religious or spiritual beliefs, that is organized around a charismatic leader • In exchange for loyalty, cult members are promised salvation • Discourage independent thinking • Very separated – “us vs. the outside world”

30. Types of Conformity Compliance – Publically acting in agreement with social pressures, but internally disagreeing. This best describes a person who is motivated to get a reward or avoid punishment. In this example researchers found little difference between animals and humans. (Asch’s Experiment)

31. Identification – Conforming for the purpose of putting yourself in a satisfying position with the person you wish to identify with. (ie. Wanting to be just like your father)

32. Internalization - Motivated by the desire to be right. Acting on social pressures but coming to agree and believe the person who we are conforming with because they are perceived to be right and have good judgment. This method of conformity becomes tightly ingrained in an individual because it becomes part of our belief system.

33. Common Characteristics of a Cult 1. Members swear total loyalty to an all-powerful leader.2. Rational thought is discouraged or forbidden. 3. The cult's recruitment techniques are often deceptive. 4. The cult weakens the follower psychologically by making him or her depend upon the group to solve his or her problems. 5. The cults manipulate guilt to their advantage.

34. 6. The cult leader makes all the career and life decision of the members. 7. Cults exist only for their own material survival. 8. Cult members often work fulltime for the group for little or no pay. 9. Cult members are isolated from the outside world and any reality testing it could provide.

35. 10. Cults are apocalyptic and believe themselves to be the remnant who will survive the soon-approaching end of the world. 11. Many cults follow an "ends justify the means" philosophy. 12. Cults, particularly in regard to their finances, are shrouded in secrecy. 13. There is frequently an atmosphere of or potential for violence around cults.

37. Documentary:‘Jonestown – The Final Report’ History and Background of the People’s Temple: http://www.caic.org.au/biblebase/apocolyptic/jones.htm Documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQYoHiM-Uko

38. Jonestown Question - analysis • What were the factors that caused Jim Jones to want to be the leader of a group? • Why did some of the members want to join Jim Jones’ group? • What were the positive aspects of this group? • Give examples of how Jim Jones controlled the group who formed the People’s Temple. • Why were these controlling factors effective? • How does this case connect to our discussion on social roles/norms, conformity and obedience?