Asked by Kartik Bhatia on Jul 26, 2024
Verified
List three factors that are related to an increased tendency to conform.
Cognitive Dissonance
The psychological discomfort experienced when holding two or more conflicting cognitions (thoughts, beliefs, attitudes).
Conformity
The act of aligning one's attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors to match those of a group or social norm.
- Understand the factors that increase the tendency to conform.
Verified Answer
RS
Robhy SorianoJul 28, 2024
Final Answer :
Three factors that are related to an increased tendency to conform include:
1. Group Size: The size of the group can significantly influence an individual's likelihood to conform. Generally, conformity increases as the group size increases, but only up to a point. Research suggests that a group size of three to five people is optimal for inducing conformity. Beyond that number, additional members have less of an effect.
2. Group Cohesiveness: When individuals feel a strong sense of belonging and identification with a group, they are more likely to conform to the group's norms and behaviors. Cohesiveness can be fostered by factors such as time spent together, mutual attraction, shared goals, and interdependence among group members. The desire to maintain relationships and be accepted by the group can drive conformity.
3. Social Norms and Cultural Expectations: Different societies and cultures have varying expectations regarding conformity. In cultures that place a high value on social harmony and community, such as many Asian cultures, there is often a greater tendency to conform. Additionally, when social norms are clear and well-established, individuals are more likely to conform to them to avoid standing out or being socially sanctioned.
Other factors that can also contribute to an increased tendency to conform include the presence of an authority figure, the unanimity of the group, the public nature of responses (public responses tend to lead to higher conformity than private ones), and the ambiguity of the situation (people are more likely to conform when they are unsure of the correct behavior or answer).
1. Group Size: The size of the group can significantly influence an individual's likelihood to conform. Generally, conformity increases as the group size increases, but only up to a point. Research suggests that a group size of three to five people is optimal for inducing conformity. Beyond that number, additional members have less of an effect.
2. Group Cohesiveness: When individuals feel a strong sense of belonging and identification with a group, they are more likely to conform to the group's norms and behaviors. Cohesiveness can be fostered by factors such as time spent together, mutual attraction, shared goals, and interdependence among group members. The desire to maintain relationships and be accepted by the group can drive conformity.
3. Social Norms and Cultural Expectations: Different societies and cultures have varying expectations regarding conformity. In cultures that place a high value on social harmony and community, such as many Asian cultures, there is often a greater tendency to conform. Additionally, when social norms are clear and well-established, individuals are more likely to conform to them to avoid standing out or being socially sanctioned.
Other factors that can also contribute to an increased tendency to conform include the presence of an authority figure, the unanimity of the group, the public nature of responses (public responses tend to lead to higher conformity than private ones), and the ambiguity of the situation (people are more likely to conform when they are unsure of the correct behavior or answer).
Learning Objectives
- Understand the factors that increase the tendency to conform.
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