Discuss+factors+influencing+conformity+(for+example,+culture,+groupthink,+risky+shift,+minority+influence).

Discuss factors influencing conformity (for example, culture, groupthink, risky shift, minority influence).

Reference your Group Powerpoint Notes on Social Conformity.

Conformity- following the actions and behavior of others. An example: remember the elevator video, where the directions of all of the surrounding people changed and the one innocent person was so confused that he thought it would just be best to do what everyone else was doing? That’s conformity. Individualism versus Collectivism- are you more likely to act on your own thoughts, or are you going to do what someone else is telling you to do because everyone else is doing it. Note that individualism is mainly influenced by Western culture while collectivism is influenced by Eastern culture. There is a greater chance of conformity for those under collectivism because they choose to follow the behavior of the group. Groupthink is a form of conformity where, to maintain cooperation, the individuals in the group work together. In groupthink, there is too much power under one person who will influence the others. In risky shift, there is a danger of conforming because the group as a whole is willing to take more risks than the individual would normally when alone because the perception varies by situation. The concept behind risky shift is that there is a sharing of power so that no one person is given the full blame, but there are still influences within to group. The key point of conformity is that a leader will start an idea that will spread throughout the group so that the individuals of the group start influencing one another. Everyone will thus act similarly and conform.

A. Group Size - Larger groups do not increase the rate of conformity; in some cases, it decreases it because there is a higher chance of different answers. B. Unanimity - Conformity is more likely when all confederates agree on an answer. If one disagrees, even if it was also the incorrect answer, the participant was more likely to disagree. C. Confidence - When individuals feel that they are more competent to make decisions with regard to a field of expertise, they are less likely to conform D. Self-Esteem: Participants with high self esteem are less likely to conform to incorrect responses.

- Group think is characterized by group members having a unanimous opinion on an issue, and they do not seek out alternative or dissenting opinions. - The group is often blinded by optimism that their decisions will be successful. Members of the group come to doubt their decisions will be successful.

- Risky Shift: The thought that people have the confidence to do things that involve more risk when in a group - Culture: Differences in culture may affect conformity. For example, individualtistic cultures may react differently than collectivist cultures.