Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience

William Hill
9 min read
Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers social influence, focusing on conformity, compliance, and obedience. Key concepts include informational and normative social influence, the Asch, Milgram, and Stanford Prison experiments, the foot-in-the-door/door-in-the-face phenomena, groupthink, and roles. It explores factors influencing these concepts and provides practice questions and exam tips.
Social Psychology: Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience
Hey there, future AP Psych master! Let's get you prepped for test day with this supercharged guide. We're diving into the fascinating world of social influence โ how we're shaped by the people around us. Get ready to ace it! ๐
Conformity
Conformity is all about fitting in โ adjusting our behavior or attitudes to match a group standard. It's a powerful force, and understanding it is key for the exam.
There are two main types of social influence that drive conformity:
- Informational Social Influence: We conform because we believe the group is more knowledgeable than we are. Think of it as "wisdom of the crowd" โ we accept the group's version of reality. ๐ง
- Normative Social Influence: We conform to gain approval and avoid rejection. It's about fitting in and being liked.๐ฏ
The Asch Experiment
The classic Asch Experiment perfectly illustrates conformity. Subjects were asked to identify which line matched a standard line, but confederates (actors) deliberately gave the wrong answer. The real subject often conformed, even when the correct answer was obvious.
- Key takeaway: People conform to avoid ridicule or feeling "weird."
- Bonus: If even one person dissents, conformity drops significantly.
Think of Asch as All Subjects Conforming Heavily. It's all about the lines!
Factors Influencing Conformity
Several factors can increase the likelihood of conformity. Keep these in mind for MCQs and FRQs:
- Feeling incompetent or insecure ๐
- Being in a group of three or more people ๐ค
- Being in a group where everyone agrees ๐ค
- Admiring the group's status or attractiveness ๐
- Having no prior commitment to a response ๐ค
- Being from a collectivist culture (emphasizing group harmony)
Unconscious Conformity
Conformity can happen without us even realizing it!
- Automatic Mimicry (aka the Chameleon Effect ๐ฆ): Unconsciously imitating others' expressions, postures, and tones. This helps us empathize. ๐
Mirroring someone's expressions can make them like you more!
Groupthink
Groupthink is when the desire for harmony in a group overrides realistic thinking. People suppress their dissenting opinions to maintain peace. โฎ๏ธ
- Example: The Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. Pressure to launch led to ignoring a warning, resulting in disaster. ๐
- Prevention: Leaders should encourage diverse viewpoints.
Practice Question
{
"mcqs": [
{
"question": "In the Asch conformity experiments, what was the primary reason participants conformed to the group's incorrect answers?",
"options": [
"They genuinely believed the group's answers were correct.",
"They wanted to avoid social disapproval and fit in.",
"They were not paying attention to the task.",
"They were trying to sabotage the experiment."
],
"answer": "They wanted to avoid social disapproval and fit in."
},
{
"question": "Which of the following best describes the concept of groupthink?",
"options": [
"A process of critical evaluation of ideas within a group.",
"The tendency for individuals to make riskier decisions when in a group.",
"The suppression of dissenting opinions to maintain group harmony.",
"The enhancement of individual performance when in a group."
],
"answer": "The suppression of dissenting opinions to maintain group harmony."
}
],
"frq": {
"question": "Explain how informational social influence and normative social influence each contribute to conformity. Provide a real-world example of a situation where groupthink might occur, and suggest one strategy to prevent it.",
"scoring_guidelines": [
"**Informational Social Influence (1 point):** Explanation that people conform because they believe the group has more knowledge or a better understanding of the situation.",
"**Normative Social Influence (1 point):** Explanation that people conform to gain approval, fit in, or avoid rejection by the group.",
"**Real-World Example of Groupthink (1 point):** A relevant example, such as a corporate board making a risky decision, or a political group ignoring dissenting opinions.",
"**Strategy to Prevent Groupthink (1 point):** A strategy such as encouraging diverse viewpoints, appointing a devil's advocate, or seeking outside opinions."
]
}
}
Compliance
Compliance is about following instructions or requests. ๐
The Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon
People are more likely to agree to a large request if they've first agreed to a small one. ๐ฃ
- Example: American POWs in China were more likely to give information after first agreeing to small requests like picking up a pencil. โ๏ธ
The Door-in-the-Face Phenomenon
People who refuse a large request are more likely to agree to a smaller one. It's like a negotiation tactic.
Remember these two phenomena for the FRQ! They're great examples of how requests can be framed to increase compliance.
Roles
We often adopt roles in social situations, which come with a set of norms. We adapt our behavior to fit these roles.
The Stanford Prison Experiment
The Stanford Prison Experiment (Zimbardo, 1971) showed how powerful roles can be.
- Key takeaway: Subjects randomly assigned to be guards or prisoners quickly adopted those roles, leading to abuse and rebellion. โ๏ธ๏ธ
- Moral: Roles can drastically influence behavior.
Practice Question
{
"mcqs": [
{
"question": "The foot-in-the-door phenomenon is best illustrated by which of the following?",
"options": [
"Agreeing to a large request after first refusing a smaller one.",
"Agreeing to a small request after first refusing a larger one.",
"Agreeing to a large request after first agreeing to a small one.",
"Refusing a large request after first agreeing to a small one."
],
"answer": "Agreeing to a large request after first agreeing to a small one."
},
{
"question": "What was the primary finding of the Stanford Prison Experiment?",
"options": [
"People are naturally cruel and sadistic.",
"The power of the situation and roles can influence behavior.",
"Prisoners will always rebel against authority.",
"Guards are more likely to be abusive than prisoners."
],
"answer": "The power of the situation and roles can influence behavior."
}
],
"frq": {
"question": "Describe the foot-in-the-door phenomenon and the door-in-the-face phenomenon. Provide an example of how each could be used in a real-world scenario.",
"scoring_guidelines": [
"**Foot-in-the-Door Phenomenon (1 point):** Explanation of the tendency for people to agree to a large request after first agreeing to a small one.",
"**Real-World Example of Foot-in-the-Door (1 point):** A relevant example such as asking for a small donation before asking for a larger one.",
"**Door-in-the-Face Phenomenon (1 point):** Explanation of the tendency for people to agree to a small request after first refusing a larger one.",
"**Real-World Example of Door-in-the-Face (1 point):** A relevant example such as asking for a large favor that is likely to be refused, then asking for a smaller favor."
]
}
}
Obedience
Obedience is following orders from an authority figure. It's similar to compliance, but with an added element of power. ๐ฎ
The Milgram Experiment
The Milgram Experiment demonstrated how far people will go when obeying authority. Subjects were instructed to deliver electric shocks to a "learner" (who was an actor) for incorrect answers.
- Key takeaway: Over half of participants delivered what they believed were fatal shocks. โก
- Moral: People are surprisingly obedient to authority, even when it conflicts with their conscience. โ ๏ธ
- Unethical: This experiment is considered highly unethical due to the psychological distress it caused to participants.
Don't confuse obedience with conformity. Obedience involves authority, while conformity is about fitting into a group.
Factors Influencing Obedience
Milgram found that obedience was highest when:
- The authority figure was close by and perceived as legitimate. ๐ฎ
- The authority figure was associated with a prestigious institution.
- The victim was depersonalized or at a distance.
- There were no role models for defiance.
Practice Question
{
"mcqs": [
{
"question": "In the Milgram obedience experiments, what was the main factor that influenced participants' willingness to administer electric shocks?",
"options": [
"The participants' personal beliefs about the morality of the experiment.",
"The participants' desire to please the experimenter, an authority figure.",
"The participants' understanding of the scientific purpose of the experiment.",
"The participants' fear of being punished if they did not comply."
],
"answer": "The participants' desire to please the experimenter, an authority figure."
},
{
"question": "Which of the following conditions would NOT increase obedience in a Milgram-style experiment?",
"options": [
"The experimenter is perceived as an authority figure.",
"The victim is in the same room as the participant.",
"The experiment is conducted at a prestigious university.",
"There are no other participants who refuse to administer shocks."
],
"answer": "The victim is in the same room as the participant."
}
],
"frq": {
"question": "Describe the Milgram experiment and its findings. Explain two factors that increased obedience in the experiment and one ethical concern that arose from the study.",
"scoring_guidelines": [
"**Description of Milgram Experiment (1 point):** A description of the experiment involving participants administering electric shocks to a learner, under the direction of an authority figure.",
"**Finding of Milgram Experiment (1 point):** Explanation that a significant percentage of participants were willing to administer what they believed to be lethal shocks.",
"**Two Factors Increasing Obedience (2 points):** Two factors such as the authority figure's presence, the prestigious setting, the victim's distance, or the lack of defiant role models.",
"**Ethical Concern (1 point):** A description of an ethical concern such as the psychological distress of participants, deception, or the lack of informed consent."
]
}
}
Final Exam Focus
Alright, you've made it! Hereโs what to focus on for the exam:
- Key Concepts: Conformity (informational and normative), compliance (foot-in-the-door, door-in-the-face), obedience, groupthink, roles.
- Classic Studies: Asch Experiment, Stanford Prison Experiment, Milgram Experiment. Know the procedures, findings, and implications of each.
- FRQ Focus: Be prepared to define terms, apply concepts to real-world examples, and discuss ethical considerations.
Remember to link concepts across units. For example, how might cognitive dissonance relate to conformity? ๐ก
Last-Minute Tips
- Time Management: Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on and come back if needed.
- MCQ Strategies: Read each question carefully, eliminate wrong answers, and trust your instincts.
- FRQ Strategies: Plan your response before writing, use clear language, and be specific.
- Common Pitfalls: Don't confuse terms, and always back up your answers with evidence.
You've got this! Go into that exam with confidence, and remember all the cool secrets you've uncovered. You're ready to rock it! ๐

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Question 1 of 20
What is conformity in social psychology? ๐ค
Following orders from an authority figure
Adjusting one's behavior or attitudes to match a group standard
Giving in to a request from another person
A process of critical evaluation within a group