Overview
For this week’s discussion, we will dive into the topics of conformity and obedience within the Social Psychology unit. Watch the two videos below on conformity and obedience. The first is about the Asch Experiment, classical experiment of conformity. The second is about the Milgram Experiment and the Stanford Prison Experiment. Once you watch them answer the questions below. Remember to write 2-3 full paragraphs and comment on someone else’s post for full credit.
Asch Experiment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyDDyT1lDhA
Milgram and Stanford Experiments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsFEV35tWsg
- In the Asch Experiment, people gave the wrong answer despite knowing it was the wrong answer. The power of the group made many individuals conform. Think of how this plays out every single day on social media, especially right now. How does conformity contribute to the spread of false information and fake news on social media?
- Can you give me an example of something people conform to every single day? It could be something recent that happened in the news or a personal story. Please be detailed and carefully explain yourself.
- In the second video, Zimbardo discusses the Milgram Experiment and his own very famous experiment. How can obedience (especially blind obedience) to authority be a very dangerous thing? Does the authority figure matter?
- Think of the recent events involving protests against police brutality and think about the Stanford Prison experiment. People were given unchecked power and did awful things. How can unchecked power lead to brutal acts? What are the similarities between the Stanford Prison experiment and police brutality?
- Give me a real life example of an authority figure who in the past or currently has influence on people. It can be a historical figure, a celebrity, or even someone in our community. How has this authority figure helped or done harm by making people obey them? (Example: Think Jenny McCarthy and anti-vaxxers; think religious leaders and dictators; think Instagram and Fitness gurus who give out awful advice etc.)