social behavior part 1

Social Behavior

Social Psychology

The field of Psychology that focuses on how we behave the presence of others. Particularly - how

different types of social pressure influence us.

How do we behave when we want to fit into a group?

How do we behave when someone asks us to do something?

How do we behave when we think others are watching?

How do we behave when an authority figure is present?

How do we behave when we think we are the authority figure?

Social InfluenceThe process by which the actions of an individual or

group affect the behavior of others.

Group: Two or more people who interact with one another,

perceive themselves as part of a group, and are

interdependent.

NormsGroups develop “norms”: expectations regarding what behavior

is appropriate within the group, and what behavior is not.

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Worksheet #1Answer this question in box #1.

In general, what happens when someone does not follow the norms of a group they are in?

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Worksheet #2On your worksheet, make a list of groups that you belong to. (Yes, we all belong to many groups that

each have different behavioral norms!)

Georgi family

Friends from middle/high school

Friends from college

KIS Faculty

Psych Class Yearbook ClubGlobal Studies Class

Me + Sister

Types of Social Pressure

ConformityA change in behavior or attitudes

brought about by a desire to follow the beliefs or standards of other people.

ComplianceA type of social influence where an individual does what someone else

wants them to do, following his or her request or suggestion.

Obedience A change in behavior in response to the commands of others.

ConformityA change in behavior or attitudes brought about by a desire

to follow the beliefs or standards of other people.

If we do not conform to the behavior of the groups we are in, we may face

rejection, exclusion, or

loss of reputation.

What if your friends are having a costume party, but you decide to go without wearing one?

In school, you are expected to dress and behave in

certain ways. What happens when you don’t?

Solomon Asch ExperimentIn the 1950s, psychologist Solomon Asch studied the practice of conformity by giving a perception test to a group of students. All

of the students taking the test were actors - except for one. Asch wanted to see how this subject would respond when all of

the other students unanimously gave wrong answers to very simple questions.

RESULTS:1/3 of the test subjects

conformed to the group, and chose the wrong

answer simply because everyone else did.

Video 1

ConformityFacts about conformity:

• The more attractive a group appears to its members, the greater its ability to produce conformity.

• The lower a person’s rank or status is within a group, the easier it is for the group to modify that person’s behavior.

• Conformity is more likely in public situations.

• Fact vs. Opinion: it is easier to create conformity when asked to give an opinion on something.

• Groups that are unanimous create the greatest conformity pressures.

Compliance

A type of social influence where an individual does what someone else wants them to do, following his or

her request or suggestion.

• Foot-in-the-Door Technique• Door-in-the-Face Technique• “That’s Not All” Technique• Not-so-free Sample Technique• Low-Ball Technique• Bait-and-Switch Technique

“door in the face”

(Worksheet #3)

ObedienceA change in behavior in response to the commands of others (following orders). Obedience usually only occurs in special relationships with authority figures

(such as a parent, teacher, or boss).

Worksheet #4We don’t follow the suggestions or

orders of all people equally.

What characteristics can you find in the people/groups that we are most willing to change our behavior for?

social behavior part 1

Education