Using the autokinetic effect in his study, Muzafer Sherif found that, individually, people give very different estimates of how far the light moves.However, when two or more people announce their estimates at the same time, their judgments rapidly converge, which demonstrates
A) social status.
B) group cohesiveness.
C) social influence.
D) a regression toward the mean.

Question

Using the autokinetic effect in his study, Muzafer Sherif found that, individually, people give very different estimates of how far the light moves.However, when two or more people announce their estimates at the same time, their judgments rapidly converge, which demonstrates ​
A) ​social status.
B) ​group cohesiveness.
C) ​social influence.
D) ​a regression toward the mean.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phenomenon observed by Muzafer Sherif, where individuals' judgments rapidly converge when they are announced in a group, is an example of social influence. This suggests that people are influenced by the opinions and judgments of others in a group context, leading to a convergence of opinions. This effect is often referred to as informational influence, where people rely on the opinions of others in order to inform their own judgments. Therefore, option C is the best choice. Options A, B, and D are not supported by the evidence presented in the question.

Using the Autokinetic Effect in His Study, Muzafer Sherif Found