Conformity and obedience are strong forces that influence how we behave in groups. Let’s understand these ideas better.
Conformity is when people change how they act or think to fit in with a group. A famous example of this is Solomon Asch’s line experiment. In the study, people were asked to pick which of three lines was the same length as a reference line. Even when it was obvious, many chose the wrong answer just to go along with the group. This shows how group pressure can make us doubt what we see.
Obedience is different. It’s about following orders from someone in charge. In Stanley Milgram’s studies, some people were shocked to find out that many would give what they thought were painful electric shocks to someone else, just because an authority figure told them to. This experiment showed that people can ignore their own morals when they are told to do something by someone they see as powerful.
Conformity and obedience play big roles in how we behave in groups. They often push people to act in ways that go against their own beliefs. By being aware of these influences, people can hold on to their own thoughts and opinions, especially in high-pressure situations.
Conformity and obedience are strong forces that influence how we behave in groups. Let’s understand these ideas better.
Conformity is when people change how they act or think to fit in with a group. A famous example of this is Solomon Asch’s line experiment. In the study, people were asked to pick which of three lines was the same length as a reference line. Even when it was obvious, many chose the wrong answer just to go along with the group. This shows how group pressure can make us doubt what we see.
Obedience is different. It’s about following orders from someone in charge. In Stanley Milgram’s studies, some people were shocked to find out that many would give what they thought were painful electric shocks to someone else, just because an authority figure told them to. This experiment showed that people can ignore their own morals when they are told to do something by someone they see as powerful.
Conformity and obedience play big roles in how we behave in groups. They often push people to act in ways that go against their own beliefs. By being aware of these influences, people can hold on to their own thoughts and opinions, especially in high-pressure situations.