When we talk about how people act because of others, it's important to know three key ideas: conformity, compliance, and obedience. These words describe different ways we can be affected by those around us, and each has its own traits and reasons.
Conformity means changing our thoughts or actions to fit in with a group, often because of pressure from others. This can happen even if nobody directly tells us what to do.
A famous study by Solomon Asch in the 1950s showed this well. People were asked to figure out which of three lines matched a standard line. Even when the answer was obvious, many chose the wrong one because their friends did.
Key Points About Conformity:
Compliance is when we change how we act because someone asks us to, even if we don’t really want to. This usually happens when the person asking has some sort of power or charm.
For example, if a coworker asks for help on a project, you might say yes, even if you’re not interested, just because they asked nicely or you feel you have to.
Key Points About Compliance:
Obedience is all about following orders from someone in charge. A well-known study by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s showed how this works. In the experiment, people were told to give electric shocks to a volunteer. Many followed the orders of the person in charge (the experimenter), even though they felt uncomfortable and thought it was wrong. This shows how strong the influence of authority can be.
Key Points About Obedience:
Knowing the differences between conformity, compliance, and obedience is important in understanding social behavior:
These types of social influence help explain the complicated ways we act with others and the reasons behind our actions in different social situations. Each one shapes how we interact with people and fit into society.
When we talk about how people act because of others, it's important to know three key ideas: conformity, compliance, and obedience. These words describe different ways we can be affected by those around us, and each has its own traits and reasons.
Conformity means changing our thoughts or actions to fit in with a group, often because of pressure from others. This can happen even if nobody directly tells us what to do.
A famous study by Solomon Asch in the 1950s showed this well. People were asked to figure out which of three lines matched a standard line. Even when the answer was obvious, many chose the wrong one because their friends did.
Key Points About Conformity:
Compliance is when we change how we act because someone asks us to, even if we don’t really want to. This usually happens when the person asking has some sort of power or charm.
For example, if a coworker asks for help on a project, you might say yes, even if you’re not interested, just because they asked nicely or you feel you have to.
Key Points About Compliance:
Obedience is all about following orders from someone in charge. A well-known study by Stanley Milgram in the 1960s showed how this works. In the experiment, people were told to give electric shocks to a volunteer. Many followed the orders of the person in charge (the experimenter), even though they felt uncomfortable and thought it was wrong. This shows how strong the influence of authority can be.
Key Points About Obedience:
Knowing the differences between conformity, compliance, and obedience is important in understanding social behavior:
These types of social influence help explain the complicated ways we act with others and the reasons behind our actions in different social situations. Each one shapes how we interact with people and fit into society.