Group Dynamics, including Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience to Authority

Group dynamics explore the behavioral and psychological processes within and between social groups. Key elements include conformity, compliance, and obedience to authority. In the context of AP psychology, understanding these concepts is essential for analyzing how individuals align their attitudes and behaviors with group norms, respond to direct requests, and follow authoritative commands. These dynamics reveal the powerful influence of social forces on individual actions, shaping interactions in various social settings.

Learning Objectives

Understand the principles of group dynamics, including the definitions and implications of conformity, compliance, and obedience to authority. Familiarize yourself with key studies such as Asch’s line experiment, Milgram’s obedience study, and Zimbardo’s Stanford prison experiment. Learn the factors influencing each phenomenon, such as group size, unanimity, and the legitimacy of authority. Differentiate between conformity, compliance, and obedience, and recognize their impact on individual behavior within social contexts for the AP Psychology exam.

Conformity

Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group Social Norms. Norms are implicit, specific rules shared by a group of individuals that guide their interactions with others.

Key Studies

• Solomon Asch’s Line Experiment (1951):
  • Participants were asked to match the length of a line to three comparison lines in the presence of confederates who intentionally gave wrong answers.
  • Findings: A significant number of participants conformed to the incorrect group consensus, demonstrating the power of social pressure.

Types of Conformity

• Normative Conformity: Changing behavior to fit in with the group while privately disagreeing.
• Informational Conformity: Changing behavior because the group provides information that seems correct.

Factors Influencing Conformity

• Group Size: Conformity increases with group size but plateaus after a certain point.
• Unanimity: Conformity decreases if there is at least one dissenter.
• Cohesion: The more cohesive a group, the more likely individuals are to conform.
• Status: Higher status individuals exert more influence, leading to greater conformity.

Compliance

Compliance involves changing one’s behavior due to the request or direction of another person, often in the absence of authority.

Key Techniques

• Foot-in-the-Door Technique:
  • Small initial request followed by a larger request.
  • Example: Asking for a small donation first, then requesting a larger one later.
• Door-in-the-Face Technique:
  • Large initial request that is refused followed by a smaller, more reasonable request.
  • Example: Asking for a significant amount of money first, then requesting a smaller, more feasible amount.
• Low-Balling Technique:
  • Agreeing to a request but then increasing the cost or effort required.
  • Example: Car salesmen initially agreeing on a lower price, then adding extra fees.

Key Studies

• Freedman and Fraser’s Compliance Study (1966):
  • Demonstrated the effectiveness of the foot-in-the-door technique.
  • Findings: People who agreed to a small request were more likely to comply with a larger request later.

Obedience to Authority

Obedience is following the directives of an authority figure.

Key Studies

• Stanley Milgram’s Obedience Study (1963):
  • Participants were instructed to administer electric shocks to a “learner” for incorrect answers.
  • Findings: A high proportion of participants continued to administer shocks, even at high voltage levels, under the authority’s instructions.
• Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment (1971):
  • Simulated a prison environment with participants assigned roles as guards or prisoners.
  • Findings: Participants quickly conformed to their roles, with guards exhibiting abusive behavior and prisoners showing signs of severe stress.

Factors Influencing Obedience

• Legitimacy of Authority: Individuals are more likely to obey authority figures who are perceived as legitimate.
• Proximity: Physical closeness to the authority figure increases obedience.
• Depersonalization: Dehumanizing the victim can increase obedience.
• Institutional Authority: Prestige and status of the institution can enhance obedience.

Differences Between Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience

• Conformity: Driven by social norms and peer pressure without direct requests.
• Compliance: Based on direct requests from others, often peers, without an authority figure.
• Obedience: Involves following orders from an authority figure, often under the influence of perceived power.