1 hour essay

4/22/2012

Discuss factors influencing conformity. (1 hour)

This sounds like a simple questions - but you must include research studies and theories to support your answer. Your answer should be full of terms and psychological evidence. What terms would you be able to use in this essay?

2 Comments

Steve Ski

4/22/2012 10:35:57 am

First define it: conformity= tendency to adjust one's thoughts or feelings in ways that are in agreement with those of a particular group or individual

think peer pressure

Asch paradigm--> use this because you tie in a research study and it answers the question

four factors: group size (large groups did not decrease level of conformity), unanimity, confidence, self-esteem

Remember Asch used confederates to complete his study. Confederates are people which help researcher deceive participant

Why do people conform?
People evaluate their opinions and ideas through social comparison (thank you Leon Festinger). Anxiety occurs when someone notices they are not behaving the same way- cognitive dissonance.

Also people have need to be accepted by others. People are social animals (some people do not know how to keep their mouths shut!). Insecure people will often conform to avoid rejection and gain social approval

Mrs. Brown

4/22/2012 10:54:00 pm

Fantastic!!! Answers like these will IB smile!!! Very nice, Steve!

1 hour essay

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