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Conformity Essay

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Adult Psychology Assignment
To what extent does social influence make us behave in a manner that is inconsistent with our own beliefs and values?
Conformity
How much influence do we have over our own beliefs and values? I have chosen to base my assignment on the concept of ‘conformity’. I have a particular interest and strongly believe that social influence does make us behave in a manner that is inconsistent with our own beliefs and values in terms of this concept in particular.
What is conformity? ‘Conformity is defined as a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behaviour in order to fit in with a group.’ (Dr Ashling Bourke - Lecture slides). Group influence causes people to act in opposition to their beliefs. They act …show more content…

It was recorded that every single teacher went up to 300 volts. ‘Ordinary people are likely to follow orders given by an authority figure, even to the extent of killing an innocent human being. Obedience to authority is ingrained in us all from the way we are brought up.’ McLeod, S. A. (2007). It was shown that people were more likely to obey others if they recognise their authority as morally right.
Conclusion:
In conclusion to this essay, I have shown that social influence without doubt makes us behave in a manner that is inconsistent with our own beliefs and values. People will always be influenced against what they may believe or value in fear of not being accepted by others. In terms of conformity and obedience, there is endless evidence which says that people are more than willing to go against what they think is right because they believe authority over themselves or in order to fit in with society and be accepted.
Bibliography
HD301 Social Psychology of …show more content…

A minority of one against a unanimous majority.
Asch, Solomon E.
Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, Vol 70(9), 1956, 1-70.

Allen, V.L. (1965) ‘Conformity and the role of deviant1’, Journal of Personality, 33(4), pp. 584–597.
Sherif, M. (2037) ‘An experimental approach to the study of attitudes’, Sociometry, 1, pp. 90–98.
McLeod, S. A. (2008). Asch Experiment. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/asch-conformity.html
McLeod, S. A. (2007). The Milgram Experiment. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html
Milgram S. 1974. Obedience to Authority. New York: Harper & Row
Lück, H.E. (2000) ‘Blass, Thomas (Ed.). (1999). Obedience to authority. Current perspectives on the Milgram experiment’, Gruppendynamik und Organisationsberatung, 31(4), pp. 488–490.
Cialdini, R.B. and Goldstein, N.J. (2004) ‘SOCIAL INFLUENCE: Compliance and conformity’, Annu. Rev. Psychol, 55, pp. 591–621.
Janes, L.M. and Olson, J.M. (2000) ‘Jeer pressure: The behavioral effects of observing ridicule of others’, Pers Soc Psychol Bull, 26(4), pp.

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