PSY 355 Project One Template

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Psychology

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May 10, 2024

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PSY 355 Project One Template Complete this template by replacing the bracketed text with the relevant information. Part One: Analyzing the Socio-Psychological Foundations of Conformity Analyze the socio-psychological factors that influence our tendency to conform to group pressure. In your analysis, address each of the following rubric criteria in 3 to 5 sentences: 1. Describe the difference between acceptance, compliance, and obedience , and provide examples of how these concepts present within the group dynamic. Acceptance, compliance, and obedience are all types of conformity but with different definitions. With acceptance, it is when you genuinely believe in what the group has convinced you to do and you believe that you are doing the right thing. For example, you get a flu shot every year because you are convinced that it will prevent you from getting sick. Compliance is completing a request or conforming to an expectation without necessarily believing that it is the right thing to do. For example, you put on a necktie or dress, even though you do not want to. Obedience is a compliance in response to an instruction given. It means doing something that you wouldn’t do unless instructed to do so. For example, if your mother tells you to take out the trash and you do it, even though you don’t want to. (Myers and Twenge, 2021) 2. Describe the difference between normative influence and informational influence, and provide examples of how these concepts impact the group dynamic. Normative influence is “conformity based on a person’s desire to fulfill others’ expectations, often to gain acceptance.” Informational influence is “conformity occurring when people accept evidence about reality provided by other people.” (Myers and Twenge, 2021) An example of normative influence would be a person behaving a certain way to connect with a group of individuals, even if you are asked to do things that you do not agree with. An example of informational influence would be a person that votes for a certain political party that your peers do because you are not entirely sure what you believe in, but you trust your peers’ moral judgments. 3. Describe why cognitive dissonance is not always easy to recognize in ourselves. Cognitive dissonance is not always easy to recognize in ourselves because we do not typically think that our own thoughts, values, and beliefs are flawed. Cognitive dissonance is a state of inconsistency that has to do with your thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs. Individuals have the tendency to doubt themselves and start to feel pressured to change their beliefs to connect with other individuals when experiencing cognitive dissonance. 4. Describe ways to reduce cognitive dissonance and shift to a state of cognitive consonance in the group setting . Some ways to reduce cognitive dissonance and shift to a state of cognitive consonance is to adjust your thought processes and reevaluate what you believe by finding a balance. Some examples of this are searching for new information, attempting to comprehend things more accurately, encouraging open communication, having collaboration, seeking consensus, and adjust the way you view situations to have your thoughts and actions working together. 1

5. Describe the factors that may impact a person’s ability or desire to deviate from the norm and choose not to conform to group pressure. Some factors that may impact a person’s ability or desire to deviate from the norm and choose not to conform to group pressure are an individual’s moral compass, social support, level of importance, personality, and self-esteem. Some other general factors could be an individual’s culture, age, gender, and ethnic background. Part Two: Reflecting On the Conformity Experience Reflect upon an authentic experience that occurred either at home, in school, at work, or within the greater community, in which you or someone you know conformed to the majority opinion. In your reflection, address each of the following rubric criteria in 3 to 5 sentences: 1. Describe the influence of unanimity on the tendency of group members to conform to the majority opinion. Unanimity holds a similar power and influence that peer pressure does. An individual makes the observation that they are the only one in a group setting that has a difference of opinion; this individual feels the need to conform to the majority opinion. The influence of unanimity can tend to cause individuals to be compliant with group members to avoid conflict or not stand out. 2. Describe the influence of cohesion on the tendency of group members to conform to the majority opinion. Cohesion is “the extent to which members of a group are bound together, such as by attraction to one another.” “The more cohesive a group is, the more power it gains over its members.” (Myers and Twenge, 2021) This causes group members to conform to the social norms of the group. 3. Describe the influence of status on the tendency of group members to conform to the majority opinion. The influence of status has the ability to encourage people to conform to the majority opinion. This person is deemed as important through their status so it makes individuals feel as thought they should listen to what they have to say. A social status also sets the standard by providing a hierarchy. Status provides the ability to obtain knowledge on who in important within the environment. Part Three: Integrating the Negative and Positive Aspects of Conformity Within the Group Dynamic Integrate and apply your knowledge of conformity, which can result in both negative and positive outcomes on group collaboration. In your response, address each of the following rubric criteria in one paragraph: 1. Describe the negative effects of conformity on group collaboration. Include the potential impact of conformity on each of the following: A. The motivation of group members B. The identity and individuality of group members C. The perceptions of fairness toward group members D. The creativity and diversity of ideas of group members 2

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