Asch Conformity Study

“Social learning theories focus on the effects of thought on action and action on thought” (Slavin, 2014). Social learning theories incorporates four observational phases, which are attentional phase, retention phase, reproduction and motivational phase. These four stages make up

Humans often act in ways they know to be incorrect or wrong for their own social benefit, often because we fear being different. One example of this is the Asch Conformity Experiment, where 75% of participants would choose the wrong answer on an obvious question just to not stand out from the crowd. After the experiment, all said they felt self-conscious and feared disapproval from the group. Another example is when those in a social group have preferences or choices differ from the rest of the group, they will often conform to the rest of the group's opinion. Nobody wants to be the only person to dislike a certain food or think a certain way, they fear they will be judged negatively for it. As social creatures, we seek for and strive other

Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory describes the process through which people acquire new info, forms of behavior, or attitudes from others firsthand or vicariously. The likelihood of a behavior presenting itself will rely on the amount of reinforcement it receives and the value that the individual associates to it. While some behavior may be rewarded, others may produce unfavorable responses. An individual will learn from the consequences of these actions and when a similar situation arises, they will alter their behavior according to what was most successful in the past.

 Module Overview • In groups you have 10 minutes to discuss one of the 3 parts of Investigating psychology: – Part 1 (Ch.1 - 3) ‘Why people do harm to others?’ – Part 2 (Ch.4 - 6) ‘What determines human behaviour?’ – Part 3 (Ch.7 - 9) ‘Psychological processes that cannot be directly observed’ • Think about the studies and concepts in each of the parts and be prepared to discuss your ideas when you are called back.

The social learning approach as explained in P1, suggests that learn new behaviours and information by observing other that are around them. This is also known as observational learning.

10. Was the sample for this study adequately described? Provide a rationale for your answer.

Social learning theory, developed by Bandura, discusses how people learn from one another through observation, modeling, and imitation bridging an individual’s attention, memory and motivation. Social learning theory identifies the importance of cognition, observable behavior, individual self-efficacy, and the extent of how the events surrounding an individual affect them; their locus of control. Social learning theory also looks at individual problem behavior being influenced by positive or negative reinforcement (Ashford & LeCroy, 2012).

An example of observational learning is Eli, a successful businessman. Eli has an obsession with saving money as he observed it from his father. His parents were poor immigrants that pinched every penny they could. Everytime Eli would try to enjoy the fruits of his labor, he would hear his father’s warnings. His father’s distrust of the future carried through to his thoughts on women. Like success, a woman would inevitably turn on you someday. Eli imitated his father’s beliefs and actions throughout his life as he learned them to be socially appropriate.

The social learning theory suggests that people learn new behaviors through observation of factors in their environment, by taking note of other’s

“Describe what this study demonstrated about human behavior and mental processes using the results of the study along with information you have learned in Units 1-3.”

How did you select this research study to analyze? That is, what search terms did you use? What database did you use? What was your rationale for selecting this particular study to analyze over the others identified in the search results? What is the full reference for the study in APA format?

Solomon Asch’s study on conformity displays a common occurrence of our behavior, when interacting with others. A experience of mine were I conformed to an idea, due to everyone else choosing that idea occurred during a debate in one my history classes. The debate was based around Genghis Khan and whether his actions and legacies make him an evil or good person. During each round of the debate one of the opposing sides would present an idea fighting for their side, which for the team opposing me was that he was an evil person. They presented the idea that Khan never established a social order within his empire. For my sides rebuttal they chose to provide evidence of increased social order after his conquering, but did not necessarily bring up

Most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling; from observing others. If people did not observe the different behaviors that others were doing there would be nothing new ever going on in the world. Everyone would essentially be almost like a robot because there would be no new behavior. Social learning is the best example of this, in life there is not one thing that you can look at and not relate it to social learning. The biggest example is social media. On social media everyone can be considered a “copycat” and that their post, tweet ,and or status is not original. And somewhere out there , there may be a post that is very similar to the one you are about to see,watch, and or read.

In regards to social cognitive theory, one is looking at the fact that people learn by observing behavioral

The definition of the social learning theory is People learn through observing others’ behavior, attitudes, and outcomes of those behaviors. “Most human behavior is learned observationally through modeling: from observing others, one forms an idea of how new behaviors are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action.” (Learning Theories Knowledgebase ). Most people learn through watching other. As a child, we learn by mocking what we have observed repeatedly. This is how we learn to walk, talk,