7.3 Classic Studies in Conformity and Obedience

Conformity and obedience studies reveal how social pressure can sway our actions. From Asch's line experiments to Milgram's shock tests, researchers uncovered surprising levels of compliance with group norms and authority figures.

These classic studies sparked debates about research ethics and human behavior. They show how easily we can be influenced by our social environment, even when it goes against our better judgment or moral values.

Conformity Studies

Asch's Line Judgment Experiments

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• Asch's conformity experiments investigated social pressure influence on individual judgment
• Participants compared line lengths with a group of confederates
• Confederates unanimously gave incorrect answers on critical trials
• 37% of participants conformed to the group's incorrect judgments
• Factors affecting conformity included group size, task difficulty, and unanimity
• Demonstrated power of social influence even in simple perceptual tasks
• Revealed individual differences in susceptibility to conformity pressures

Sherif's Autokinetic Effect Study

• Muzafer Sherif explored norm formation in ambiguous situations
• Utilized autokinetic effect, an optical illusion of movement in a stationary light
• Participants estimated distance of light movement in dark room
• When tested alone, individuals developed personal norms for estimations
• In groups, participants converged on a shared norm for movement estimates
• Demonstrated emergence of social norms through interaction
• Highlighted influence of social context on perception and judgment

Norm Formation and Group Influence

• Sherif's experiments extended beyond autokinetic effect studies
• Robbers Cave experiment examined intergroup conflict and cooperation
• Boys' summer camp setting used to create and resolve group tensions
• Competitive activities fostered hostility between groups
• Superordinate goals promoted cooperation and reduced conflict
• Illustrated formation of group norms and stereotypes
• Showed how shared goals can overcome intergroup hostility

Obedience and Power Studies

Milgram's Shock Experiments

• Stanley Milgram investigated obedience to authority figures
• Participants instructed to administer electric shocks to a "learner"
• Shocks increased in intensity with each wrong answer
• 65% of participants continued to maximum voltage despite protests
• Variations explored factors affecting obedience rates (proximity, legitimacy of authority)
• Raised ethical concerns about research methods and participant well-being
• Revealed surprising levels of obedience to destructive commands

Stanford Prison Experiment Dynamics

• Philip Zimbardo conducted simulated prison study at Stanford University
• Randomly assigned college students to roles of guards or prisoners
• Experiment planned for two weeks but terminated after six days
• Guards became increasingly authoritarian and abusive
• Prisoners experienced psychological distress and learned helplessness
• Demonstrated rapid emergence of toxic power dynamics
• Highlighted situational influences on behavior and identity

Ethical Considerations and Critiques

• Both Milgram and Zimbardo's studies faced ethical scrutiny
• Concerns raised about potential psychological harm to participants
• Questions about informed consent and deception in research
• Zimbardo criticized for dual role as experimenter and prison superintendent
• Replication attempts of Stanford Prison Experiment yielded mixed results
• Debates on generalizability and ecological validity of findings
• Led to stricter ethical guidelines for psychological research involving human subjects