How does this happen The Power of Conformity

How does this happen? The Power of Conformity 1. 2 Motivations for Conformity 1. Normative: we want to fit in 2. Informational: we want to know the truth/what is right 1. We assume others know more than us 2. We don’t like not knowing what to do or how to act (anomie) so we readily conform 3. Chameleon effect: mimicking of body language/thoughts and behaviors of the in-group 3. We strongly desire to be in the in-group 1. Agreement/support from others is powerful 2. Makes us more vocal/set in our opinions 3. Can always find confirmation 4. Fosters extremist views 4. We want to distance ourselves from the out-group 1. Begin to vilify “others” 2. Prejudice/discrimination distances the out-group and strengthens -group bonds 3. If something seems more popular we are more likely to also like it 4. Us v. Them mentality grows exponentially in

How does this happen? The Power of Conformity 1. In-group favoritism: We favor our in-group no matter how irrational the loyalty may be 1. Group A will work harder to be better than Group B than it will to improve both groups 2. Group serving biases 1. Exaggerate differences between groups 2. Exaggerate similarities within a group 3. False consensus 1. People will not speak out in a group if they sense they are of a different opinion 2. This is even more likely among the leadership class 3. Leads to Groupthink: otherwise smart/rational people making horrible decisions none of them would make individually 1. i. e. Challenger disaster, Bay of Pigs, Nazism 4. deindividuation: come to value unity over individuality 5. Disinhibition 1. lack of restraint and disregard for social conventions 2. Impulsivity; increased risk taking EXIT SLIP 3. Manic style decision making How/Where do you see these things happening in your world? Can you identify any time when you acted in any of these ways?