Question 1

With respect to the impact of group size on conformity,what did Asch find?

Accepted Answer

Asch found that there were negligible increases in conformity after three or four confederates. This suggests that the size of the group may not play as significant of a role in conformity as previously thought, and that a minority of three or four can still have an impact on an individual's level of conformity.

Question 2

Mary has just heard five friends say that Ontario is the largest province in Canada,when she knows it is Quebec.Rob,the next friend in line,says that Alberta is the largest province.In this situation,Mary is now less likely to conform to the first five friends than if Rob had said which of the following?

Accepted Answer

When Rob agrees with the incorrect majority (Ontario being the largest province), it reinforces the group consensus, making it harder for Mary to dissent. If Rob had also said Ontario, it would have increased the pressure on Mary to conform, despite her knowing the correct answer is Quebec.

Question 3

Conan participates in an experiment where he and three other participants are asked to judge the quality of a series of abstract paintings.Under which of the following circumstances is Conan least likely to exhibit informational influence?

Accepted Answer

Informational influence occurs when individuals conform to others' judgments due to a desire to be correct, especially in ambiguous or uncertain situations. When there is a clear and unambiguous response for each painting, Conan is least likely to rely on others for information, as the correct judgment is apparent without the need for external input.

Question 4

What reduces the normative pressure to conform to a majority?

Accepted Answer

Having any ally, regardless of their credibility, sex, or any other characteristic, can reduce the normative pressure to conform to a majority. This is because the presence of even a single ally can provide social support and validation, making an individual feel less isolated in their dissenting opinion.

Question 5

According to research on the subject,which of the following factors is the most important influence on the relationship between gender and conformity?

Accepted Answer

Familiarity with the issue at hand is the most important influence on the relationship between gender and conformity. Research suggests that both men and women are more likely to conform to opinions or behaviors when they are unfamiliar with the subject matter, indicating that the level of knowledge or familiarity with the issue significantly impacts conformity behaviors across genders.

Question 6

What did Cialdini and colleagues (1992)find in their study examining norms about littering?

Accepted Answer

Cialdini and colleagues (1992) found that littering was more common when the parking lot had some limited debris on the ground. This is because people tend to follow a norm of social proof, where they observe others' behavior and assume it is correct. Therefore, if they see litter on the ground, they may assume that it is acceptable to litter and are more likely to do so themselves.

Question 7

When are social norms are most likely to lead to conformity?

Accepted Answer

Social norms are most likely to lead to conformity when they are salient, or highly visible and apparent to individuals. When norms are visible and present in the environment, individuals tend to conform to them more readily as they feel pressure to fit in and be accepted by the group. In contrast, when norms are subtle or not readily apparent, individuals may not feel as much pressure to conform and may be more likely to resist or deviate from the norm. Therefore, saliency is an important factor that can influence the power of social norms to shape behavior.

Question 8

Reuben notices a group of eight people littering in the park.Rachel sees four different pairs of people littering in the park.Which of the following is the best prediction of likelihood that Reuben and/or Rachel will follow the group norms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Reuben notices a group of eight people...

Question 9

How does group size affect conformity?

Accepted Answer

Large majority groups have a greater effect on conformity than smaller majority groups due to the perception that they have more accurate knowledge.

Question 10

Stuart works for an energy company.He thinks the company's money should be invested in developing solar energy.However,in a meeting of his co-workers,it becomes evident to Stuart that his co-workers support the company's continued investment in fossil fuel,the typical source of energy for residents in their community.Which of the following would make Stuart less likely to conform to the opinion of his co-workers?

Accepted Answer

When Joyce, one of Stuart's co-workers, voices her support for investing the company's money in developing nuclear energy, Stuart may perceive some support for alternative energy sources other than fossil fuels. This could make him less likely to conform to his co-workers' opinion about continuing investment in fossil fuel. A decrease in group size (Option A) or Stuart's age (Option D) are unrelated factors that may not influence Stuart's conformity behavior. Option B states an established norm, and Stuart may choose to either conform or resist conformity based on his personal beliefs and attitudes.

Question 11

How do men and women differ in conformity?

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that women often conform more than men in face-to-face interactions. This may be due to societal pressure for women to be more agreeable and to avoid conflict. However, the difference in conformity between men and women may not be significant in all situations.

Question 12

Why do conformity levels NOT continue to increase dramatically as the group size gets bigger and bigger?

Accepted Answer

As the group size gets bigger, the influence of each individual on the group decreases. This is known as the law of diminishing returns. Therefore, conformity levels do not continue to increase dramatically as the group size gets bigger and bigger.

Question 13

Jeff is asked what main dish was served for lunch at the cafeteria yesterday.He thinks it was roast beef but,before responding,he observes six other students who say the main dish was pizza.Under which of the following circumstances is Jeff most likely to say the main dish was pizza?

Accepted Answer

Social influence is strongest when opinions are received from multiple sources at different times, making the information seem more widespread and independently verified.

Question 14

Which of the following does pluralistic ignorance about alcohol use on campus illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance is when individuals privately reject a norm (in this case, excessive drinking), but publicly conform to it because they believe others accept it. This is an example of normative influence, where people conform to the perceived norms of a group.

Question 15

Cialdini et al.(1990)observed participants in a clean or cluttered parking garage.In which of the following situations did they find that participants were most likely to litter?

Accepted Answer

Participants were most likely to litter in the cluttered garage after observing a confederate litter, demonstrating the impact of environmental cues and social modeling on behavior.

Question 16

According to research on the subject,which of the following factors affects whether men conform more than women,or vice versa?

Accepted Answer

Research indicates that the perception of being observed can influence conformity behaviors differently in men and women, with the awareness of observation potentially affecting their likelihood to conform.

Question 17

According to research by Neighbours et al.(2006),under which of the following circumstances are university students likely to have more positive attitudes toward drinking on campus and consume more alcohol?

Accepted Answer

According to Neighbours et al. (2006), university students are likely to have more positive attitudes toward drinking on campus and consume more alcohol if they overestimate the favourability of their peers' attitudes toward drinking. This suggests that perceived peer norms play an important role in shaping drinking behaviour and attitudes among university students. Choices A, B, and D are not supported by the research findings.

Question 18

A study found that most students overestimate how comfortable their peers are with alcohol on campus.What does this misperception illustrate?

Accepted Answer

Pluralistic ignorance refers to a situation where individuals in a group hold false beliefs about the attitudes and behaviors of others in the group. This misperception of how comfortable their peers are with alcohol on campus is an example of pluralistic ignorance as students are overestimating their peers' attitudes towards alcohol.

Question 19

Ashley and two others witness a crime that takes place in a very short amount of time.Kate and Beth are both suspects.The two other witnesses indicate that it was Beth who committed the crime.Under which of the following circumstances is Ashley most likely to conform to the others?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ashley and two others witness a crime...

Question 20

As group size increases,what happens to conformity?

Accepted Answer

Conformity tends to increase with group size, but only if each additional member is seen as an independent source of influence, as this adds to the perceived consensus and pressure to conform.

Quiz 7: Conformity