Multicultural Experience (Influence of Conformity and Obedience) Elbert Washington PSY/400 Adrian Fletcher 02/18/2013

Social influence broadly encompasses any changes on beliefs, attitudes, or behavior that result from interpersonal interaction (Fiske, 2010). Humans are known as social beings that live together forming diversity of groups forming and improving relationships within their groups. Social influence, which is very natural, is the result of communication and interaction in between groups. Conformity and obedience are concepts that support the analysis of social influence. Conformity and obedience both can persuade and change an individual(s) thoughts, actions, and behaviors. They also can change the individual(s) views of others within the community, culture and/or ethic group. In this paper I will discuss the issues of conformity and obedience; I will compare and contrast the concepts of conformity and obedience, analyze a classical study concerning the effect of group influence on the self, analyze a contemporary example of the effect that group influence has on the self and analyze individual and societal influences that lead to deviance from dominant group norms. Compare and contrast the concepts of conformity and obedience. Conformity is an important concept of social influence for it increases individuals or groups sense of belonging and self-esteem. Conformity is clearly observed when people are in groups that pressures individuals to say or do things that they normally would not do to be compatible with the group, to fit in the standards of the group. Gender, culture, personality & other factors have great influence on how individual recover in a group (Fiske, 2010). Conformitys influence is great on people, and The chances of people who responded, can only be determined when they are all alone, experience which is emotionally connected and in the partners absence or by taking the help of some another person.(Blesk-Rechek, 2001)

Obedience forces people to obey orders and abide by rules. (Fiske, 2010) Obedience is a social influence where people are given orders to follow from individuals who are authoritarians in the group. By Milgrams studies done on obedience, it establishes forces and control that influences an individual with in the group, Milgram designed a simple but elegant paradigm for studying obedience to malevolent authority (Fiske, 2010). Milgrams finding is very similar to the social impact theory where people are influenced by social pressure, When an authority is proximate, the authoritys commands carry more force (Fiske, 2010). However, As well as conformity and obedience to the social implications of human suffering, which often causes them to change their normal behavior is based on its interaction within a group (Fiske, 2010). Analyze a classical study concerning the effect of group influence on the self. A Group is considered a set of people numbering in between two and six. The groups are able to enjoy the company of other socially, make difference in society and many more. A group of successful experiences as you add more members to a group, demonstrating a high satisfaction level, group enjoyment. On the other side, a group may suffer a failure when members leave the group, reflecting unhappiness, and dissatisfaction. (Fiske, 2010) People in the group contribute to the group experiences, like conflicts, success, however; individuals are forced to deal with these problems and therefore, he or she also has to tackle these issues personally. Individuals who form the group are required to share. (Fiske, 2010) Self-classification & characteristics status theories are very important factors in social influence and social status of an individual belonging to common group with the ability to convince others within the group. A big impact on the other group members can be very

influential and powerful, or sometimes with a behavior just to please other members. By being a member of the group, every member should behave in a manner which is being accepted by the group and its members may sometimes not act as individuals but as part of a collective or united group. The question of individuality is not more remain in existence when they become member of the group, and this trend will cause that individual to act in such a way which is not his/her actual character. (Oldmeadow et al 2003) Analyze a contemporary example of the effect that group influence has on the self When people join a group, they are required to bring their knowledge and skills as contribution and some others merge with the group blending in without any negative tendencies. These people stop working as an individual for some of them can save the negative tendencies, at the same time; others look and find other groups to join. This process in a group benefits the groups by increasing peoples abilities and skills by defining the differences. This phenomenon helps to prepare team members to meet future challenges and more variety of issues keeping in mind future prospects. The group said to monitor and maintain their identity when using the diversity of the group members' of their interests. (Jetten, 2006) Research shows that with in a group, peoples thoughts and opinions are shared and their attitude is changed in front of other groups that benefit to better behavior. All the changes in the group are showed by an individual through persuasion, control and brainwashing. Peoples opinions and attitudes are changed and controlled and shaped to become part of the group. Single individual is considered the foundation of solidarity within a group. When the group is framed on basis of interpersonal relationships, group is likely to have major impact on group members, & they also form the member's view of it. (Postma et al 2005)

Analyze individual and societal influences that lead to deviance from dominant group norms People who become part of a group or are members of that group share similar characteristics of the same nature. When there is proof of the uniqueness of a team, such person is believed to have an effect of black sheep, as he refused guidelines of the group and left the group. Individuals who are member of the group experience have more trouble with party members rather than out-group members. (Fiske, 2010) Differences happen when an individual of a group understands and sees the implications of having a reward for his or her behavior. Difference happens when individuals understand and see the cost implications to reward their behavior. This behavior, deviance, is considered distracting and bad influence. It is considered negative when associated with criminals and addicts. People who deviate, are able to develop a sense of self-identity and truly are aware of the decision they are making. Anomaly occurs because people develop an identity sense or self-understanding, which becomes their personal life standard, however many of these people from the group become anomaly learned contra conventional ways or objectives and attitudes of support in their early socialization. An individual is prepared for deviance with this type of learning and social behavior that prepares for elimination of conservative norms and legitimacy from the group. The process of deviance happens with normal learning processes and with different theories of association, attitude learning, motivation values and knowledge to a degree that all of these becomes part of his identity and makes him or her strong enough for commitment. The learning process and the socialization help the individual change a very straight forward

experience eliminating all conservative standards to neutral place, eliminating the guilt, underlying important personal characteristics. Also, deviation of a group is possible for having individuals who have inspirational behavior but no chance of becoming a leader in the group. There are standards that are required as key element to eliminate tendency of the group going for deviance. The most important factor of preventing deviance within the group is communication of feelings. If members of a group are participants who are active, who know they have a potential in the group, who are well known of their skills or position in the group, which is less likely to deviate from the group (Smith and Abrahamson, 1970). Conclusion Of many concepts that study the social influence, conformity and obedience are two of them. Conformity is the influence of the majority on an individual and obedience is the influence authority has on subordinates. Conformity is The tendency to change our perceptions, opinions, or behavior in ways that are consistent with group norms. (Brehm, Kassin & Fein, 1999, p 213) Obedience is Behavior change produced by the commands of authority. (Brehm, Kassin & Fein, 1999, p 232) Obedience is the influence authority has on subordinates. Conformity and obedience are important factors in groups for they command and lead members of a group to follow social norms and standards. In this paper I evaluated the effect of group influence on the self, the effect that group influence has on the self and societal influences that lead to deviance from dominant group norms.

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