When are we more likely to be “Sheeple” instead of people?
You learned about Asch’s Conformity experiment and may be left wondering under which conditions are we more or less likely to follow the lead of others (?)
Asch conducted further experiments expanding upon how to predict when we may conform in real-life situations. He found that the factors listed below are more likely to influence conformity. For each factor listed, provide an example with a media representation (video clip, photo, drawing, clip art, audio file, news or scientific article, etc.) and a written description of how the example illustrates the conformity factor:
Conformity tends to increase when more people are present. However, there is little change once the group size goes beyond four or five people.
Conformity also increases when the task becomes more difficult. In the face of uncertainty, people turn to others for information about how to respond.
Conformity increases when other members of the group are of a higher social status. When people view the others in the group as more powerful, influential, or knowledgeable than themselves, they are more likely to go along with the group.
Conformity tends to decrease, however, when people are able to respond privately. Research has also shown that conformity decreases if they have support from at least one other individual in a group.
Each writing assignment is worth 10% of your grade and is broken down into 10 points:
1.) One media example for each of the conformity factors. (4 points)
2.) Written descriptions that fully support the media example for all factors. (4 points).
Submission must be a minimum of 300 words (2 points).