Conformity at Hope CollegeConformity at Hope College

Samuel FishmanSamuel Fishman

Gabriela Olaguibel Gabriela Olaguibel

SummarySummary

• Recreation of Asch’s Conformity Experiment Recreation of Asch’s Conformity Experiment at Hope Collegeat Hope College

• Unanimous confederates state incorrect Unanimous confederates state incorrect answersanswers

• Subject is either conformist or nonconformist Subject is either conformist or nonconformist to their point of viewsto their point of views

• Conformity QuestionnaireConformity Questionnaire• Levels based on amounts of people Levels based on amounts of people

pressuring to conformpressuring to conform

PurposePurpose

• Test the effects of social influences on Test the effects of social influences on a person, and the respective person’s a person, and the respective person’s gender on conformity.gender on conformity.

• ConformityConformity is modification in behavior is modification in behavior that happens as result of real or that happens as result of real or perceived pressure from a group.perceived pressure from a group.

• Social influenceSocial influence is the impact that is the impact that others have on a person. others have on a person.

Literature ReviewLiterature Review

Asch, (1955) Opinions and Social Pressure : Asch, (1955) Opinions and Social Pressure : Psychology lab of Psychology lab of famous study on conformity. Our study is loosely based off of famous study on conformity. Our study is loosely based off of Asch’s experiment.Asch’s experiment.

Latane, (1981) The Psychology of Social Impact :Latane, (1981) The Psychology of Social Impact : Outlines Social Outlines Social Impact Theory. Uses equation I=F(SIN) do describe social Impact Theory. Uses equation I=F(SIN) do describe social impact forces. As numbers increase, impact forces impact forces. As numbers increase, impact forces exponentially increase.exponentially increase.

Myers, (2009) Social Psychology :Myers, (2009) Social Psychology : Conformity increases with Conformity increases with number but there are decreasing returns after five people. number but there are decreasing returns after five people. Informational influence happens when people go along with Informational influence happens when people go along with a group in order to be correct. Normative influence occurs a group in order to be correct. Normative influence occurs when people go along with group in order to fit in.when people go along with group in order to fit in.

Cacioppo, Petty (1980) Sex Differences in Influenceability: Cacioppo, Petty (1980) Sex Differences in Influenceability: Towards Specifying the Underlying Processes : Towards Specifying the Underlying Processes : Women are Women are more susceptible to social influence than men are. more susceptible to social influence than men are.

Research Question #1Research Question #1

• How much does a person think he or she How much does a person think he or she will conform depending on amount of will conform depending on amount of confederates exerting pressure?confederates exerting pressure?

• Hypothesis: A person thinks that a larger Hypothesis: A person thinks that a larger amount of confederates present exert a amount of confederates present exert a greater amount of influence (in terms of greater amount of influence (in terms of conformity). conformity).

• ANOVAANOVA

Research Question #2Research Question #2

• Are people more likely to conform in Are people more likely to conform in small or large groups?small or large groups?

• Hypothesis: People are more likely to Hypothesis: People are more likely to conform in large groups.conform in large groups.

• Chi-SquareChi-Square

Research Question #3Research Question #3

• Does conformity vary with between gender?Does conformity vary with between gender?• Hypothesis: There is a difference in levels of Hypothesis: There is a difference in levels of

conformity between gender.conformity between gender.• Chi-SquareChi-Square

Experiment InformationExperiment Information

ParticipantsParticipants

• Wyckoff, Scott, and Phelps HallsWyckoff, Scott, and Phelps Halls

• Convenience SampleConvenience Sample

• Confederates are asked previouslyConfederates are asked previously

• Exclude Psychology majors and minorsExclude Psychology majors and minors

• All subjects are subjected to control All subjects are subjected to control and manipulated variableand manipulated variable

SettingSetting

• Wyckoff, Scott, and Phelps HallsWyckoff, Scott, and Phelps Halls

• Dorm roomDorm room

• Chairs are set up in semicircleChairs are set up in semicircle

• 10 pm start10 pm start

MaterialsMaterials

• Agreement survey: determines Agreement survey: determines gender, agreement, and name- these gender, agreement, and name- these were thrown out in order to ensure were thrown out in order to ensure anonymityanonymity

• Pictures of circles: 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B Pictures of circles: 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B (circles are of obvious size difference)(circles are of obvious size difference)

VariablesVariables

• Gender: dichotomous and qualitativeGender: dichotomous and qualitative

• Confederates: qualitative and Confederates: qualitative and continuous (also divided into control continuous (also divided into control and manipulated levels)and manipulated levels)

• Incorrect answers: qualitative and Incorrect answers: qualitative and continuouscontinuous

ProcedureProcedure

• Recruit and instruct confederates and Recruit and instruct confederates and prepare material and settingprepare material and setting

• Recruit subjectsRecruit subjects

• Instructions for subjectsInstructions for subjects

• Round 1: Control (no conformity Round 1: Control (no conformity affects)affects)

• Round 2: Manipulated (test conformity Round 2: Manipulated (test conformity affects)affects)

Chi-SquareChi-Square

• ExperimentExperiment• Population: Wyckoff, Scott, Phelps HallPopulation: Wyckoff, Scott, Phelps Hall• Sample: ResidentsSample: Residents• N = 46N = 46• Ho: There is no relationship between Ho: There is no relationship between

where a the number of confederates and where a the number of confederates and incorrect answers.incorrect answers.

• Ha: There is a relationship between the Ha: There is a relationship between the number of confederates and incorrect number of confederates and incorrect answers. answers.

How does the number of social How does the number of social influences affect conformity?influences affect conformity?

IV: Number of Confederates (3 or 7)DV: Incorrect Answers (Correct(0) or Incorrect(1))

Real Conclusion: The Null is plausible (p-value=.475).The number of social influences does not have an Influence on incorrect answers.

FathomFathom

• Failed Assumption: less than 5 in 2 cellsFailed Assumption: less than 5 in 2 cellsTest of Collection 1 Goodness of Fit

Attribute: (categorical): Incorrect

Ho: Categories of Incorrect are equally likely Number of categories: 2Chi-square: 9.478DF: 1 P-value: 0.00210

Column Summary

Count

0

1Incorrect

30

10

40

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.350

chi-square

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

y = x df,( )chiSquareDensity

Test of Collection 1 Function Plot

Does the Number of Does the Number of Confederates Affect Conformity?Confederates Affect Conformity?

NONO

Chi-SquareChi-Square

• ExperimentExperiment• Population: Phelps and Scott HallsPopulation: Phelps and Scott Halls• Sample: ResidentsSample: Residents• N = 31N = 31HH00: There is no relationship between gender : There is no relationship between gender

and incorrect answers. and incorrect answers. HHAA: There is relationship between gender : There is relationship between gender

and incorrect answers. and incorrect answers.

How does the number of social How does the number of social influences affect conformity?influences affect conformity?

IV: Gender (Male or Female)DV: Incorrect Answers (Correct(0) or Incorrect(1))

Real Conclusion: The Null is plausible (p-value=.458).Gender does not have an influence on incorrect answers.

FathomFathom

• Failed assumption: less than 5 in 1 cellFailed assumption: less than 5 in 1 cellTest of Collection 2 Goodness of Fit

Attribute: (categorical): Incorrect

Ho: Categories of Incorrect are equally likely Number of categories: 2Chi-square: 7.258DF: 1 P-value: 0.00710

Column Summary

Count

C

IIncorrect

23

8

31

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.350

chi-square

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

y = x df,( )chiSquareDensity

Test of Collection 2 Function Plot

Are male or females more Are male or females more likely to conform?likely to conform?

NoNo

Survey InformationSurvey Information

ANOVAANOVA

ParticipantsParticipants

• Wyckoff, Scott, and Phelps HallsWyckoff, Scott, and Phelps Halls

• Random SampleRandom Sample

• People in the hallways or with open People in the hallways or with open rooms are asked if they would take the rooms are asked if they would take the surveysurvey

MaterialsMaterials

• Conformity SurveyConformity Survey• Four Levels: 1, 3, 7, or 15 social Four Levels: 1, 3, 7, or 15 social

influencesinfluences• Questions are based off of conformity Questions are based off of conformity

scenario with friends from collegescenario with friends from college• Questions are on scale of how likely a Questions are on scale of how likely a

person is to conform from 1 (very person is to conform from 1 (very unlikely) through 5 (very likely)unlikely) through 5 (very likely)

VariablesVariables

• Social Influences: qualitativeSocial Influences: qualitative

• Likelihood of conformity: quantitativeLikelihood of conformity: quantitative

ProcedureProcedure

• Ask students if they would fill out the Ask students if they would fill out the surveysurvey

• Read introduction scriptRead introduction script

• Allow them to fill out surveyAllow them to fill out survey

• When they complete the survey, read When they complete the survey, read them the debriefing scriptthem the debriefing script

ANOVAANOVA

• SurveySurvey• Population: Wyckoff, Scott, Phelps HallsPopulation: Wyckoff, Scott, Phelps Halls• Sample: ResidentsSample: Residents• N=18N=18• Ho: There is no significant mean difference in Ho: There is no significant mean difference in

conformity among those with numbers of conformity among those with numbers of social influences. µ1=µ3=µ7=µ15social influences. µ1=µ3=µ7=µ15

• Ha: µ1 ≠ µ3; µ1 ≠ µ7; µ1 ≠ µ15; µ3 ≠ µ7; µ3 ≠ µ Ha: µ1 ≠ µ3; µ1 ≠ µ7; µ1 ≠ µ15; µ3 ≠ µ7; µ3 ≠ µ 15; µ7 ≠ µ1515; µ7 ≠ µ15

Does a Greater Number of Does a Greater Number of Influences Make One More Likely to Influences Make One More Likely to Conform?Conform?

POorpoor

IV: Influences (7 group, 3 group, 7 control group, 3 control group)DV: Incorrect Answers

Conclusion: The null is rejected in favor of the alternative (p-value=.000). There is a difference in the likelihood of conformity when there are different numbers of influences.

Assumptions Assumptions

+ Normality:+ Normality:X Homogeneity of variance: X Homogeneity of variance: + Outliers:+ Outliers:X SD: .51131(2) < 1.45621X SD: .51131(2) < 1.45621+Independence: +Independence: + Limitation: Sample Size+ Limitation: Sample Size

Failed!

ANOVA FathomANOVA Fathom

Mean Difference=Mean Difference=

4.833334.83333

P-value < .001P-value < .001

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 1 2 3 4 5 66

Meandifferencepart1

Measures from Scrambled Collection 1 Histogram

PASW is confirmed!

Bias Reduction for ExperimentBias Reduction for Experiment

• Shield subjects from true nature of Shield subjects from true nature of experimentexperiment

• Confidentiality for three daysConfidentiality for three days

• Room obscurity/similarityRoom obscurity/similarity

• Confederates sign permission slips as wellConfederates sign permission slips as well

• Psych majors and minors are excludedPsych majors and minors are excluded

• Use of scriptsUse of scripts

• Confederates confidentialityConfederates confidentiality

Lurking Variables in ExperimentLurking Variables in Experiment

• Lack of random samplingLack of random sampling

• Many people knew of Asch’s experiment Many people knew of Asch’s experiment before our studybefore our study

• Sample is only made up of three dormsSample is only made up of three dorms

• Gender of confederates probably played a Gender of confederates probably played a role in conformity between genderrole in conformity between gender

• ELIMINATED: cases with errors (i.e. answered ELIMINATED: cases with errors (i.e. answered before confederates, etc). before confederates, etc).

Bias Reduction in SurveyBias Reduction in Survey

• People are not informed of topic People are not informed of topic before completingbefore completing

• Scenarios are similarScenarios are similar

• Use of scriptsUse of scripts

Lurking Variables in SurveyLurking Variables in Survey

• Lack of random samplingLack of random sampling

• There may be underlying preference There may be underlying preference for certain scenarios even without for certain scenarios even without number of social influencesnumber of social influences

• Sample is only made up of three dormsSample is only made up of three dorms

Conclusions for Hope Conclusions for Hope CollegeCollege

There is no significant difference in social conformity There is no significant difference in social conformity between gender among Hope students.between gender among Hope students.

There is no significant difference in conformity There is no significant difference in conformity regarding number of social influences in real life regarding number of social influences in real life situations.situations.

Hope students perceive that the presence of 7 social Hope students perceive that the presence of 7 social influences is the optimal number (of the four influences is the optimal number (of the four choices) of social influences for a high likelihood of choices) of social influences for a high likelihood of conformity.conformity.

All of this can only be attributed to Hope College.All of this can only be attributed to Hope College.

Conformity in Real LifeConformity in Real Life

What is True About Conformity?What is True About Conformity?

• It exists.It exists.• The number of influences does determine The number of influences does determine

the amount of conformity as found in other the amount of conformity as found in other experiments (our experiment did not back experiments (our experiment did not back this up however).this up however).

• Gender of social influences may play a role Gender of social influences may play a role on subjects depending subjects’ gender on subjects depending subjects’ gender (females influence females more and visa (females influence females more and visa versa).versa).

• There are various types of conformity.There are various types of conformity.

Is Conformity All Bad or Is it Is Conformity All Bad or Is it Sometimes Good?Sometimes Good?

• Conformity is necessary for society to Conformity is necessary for society to run smoothly.run smoothly.

• Conformity can be negative or Conformity can be negative or positive depending on the result and positive depending on the result and intention.intention.

ReferencesReferences

Latane, B. (1981). The Psychology of Social Impact. Latane, B. (1981). The Psychology of Social Impact. American PsychologistAmerican Psychologist, , 3636, 343-356. , 343-356.

Asch, S. E. (1955). Opinions and Social Asch, S. E. (1955). Opinions and Social Pressure. Pressure. Scientific AmericanScientific American, 31-35., 31-35.

Myers, D. G. (2009). Myers, D. G. (2009). Social PsychologySocial Psychology (10th ed.). New (10th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 211, 215-216. York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 211, 215-216.

Cacioppo, J. T., & Petty, R. E. (1980). Sex Differences in Cacioppo, J. T., & Petty, R. E. (1980). Sex Differences in Influenceability: Toward Specifying the Underlying Influenceability: Toward Specifying the Underlying Processes. Processes. Personality and Social Psychology Personality and Social Psychology BulletinBulletin, , 66(4), 651-656. (4), 651-656.