Conformity in Social Psychology: A Guide to Fitting In

Question 1

Which scenario demonstrates a positive outcome of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Students collaborate to study for an exam, leading to higher grades for everyone.

Accepted Answer

Workers collectively advocate for improved working conditions and successfully gain better benefits.

Answer

Individuals blindly follow a charismatic leader, resulting in harmful consequences.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences conformity?

Accepted Answer

Age

Answer

Size of the group

Answer

Unanimity of the group

Answer

Culture

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of an informational influence?

Accepted Answer

Following the advice of a medical professional

Answer

Wearing a certain style of clothing to fit in with friends

Answer

Resisting peer pressure to drink alcohol

Answer

Conforming to avoid social isolation

Question 4

Which of the following is a potential benefit of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced social cohesion

Answer

Reduced personal responsibility

Answer

Impaired decision-making

Answer

Increased social conflict

Question 5

Which of the following is a potential risk of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of independent thought and creativity

Answer

Increased job satisfaction

Answer

Improved social skills

Answer

Enhanced problem-solving abilities

Question 6

Which of the following is a limitation of research on conformity?

Accepted Answer

Cultural biases in the participant samples

Answer

Use of standardized and reliable measures

Answer

Clear operationalization of the key concepts

Answer

High ecological validity of the research settings

Question 7

Which of the following strategies can be used to resist conformity?

Accepted Answer

Seeking out and considering dissenting opinions.

Answer

Aggressively opposing the group's opinion.

Answer

Going along with the group to avoid conflict.

Answer

Avoiding social situations altogether.

Question 8

Conformity is most likely to occur in groups that are:

Accepted Answer

Cohesive and unanimous.

Answer

Small and diverse.

Answer

Large and competitive.

Question 9

According to Bandura's social cognitive theory, conformity is primarily influenced by:

Accepted Answer

Observational learning

Answer

Classical conditioning

Answer

Operant conditioning

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a reason why people conform?

Accepted Answer

To be unique

Answer

To reduce uncertainty

Answer

To avoid punishment

Answer

To gain approval

Question 11

Which of the following is a positive consequence of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Social cohesion

Answer

Increased risk-taking

Answer

Loss of individuality

Question 12

Which of the following is a negative consequence of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissent

Answer

Improved decision-making

Answer

Greater confidence

Answer

Increased productivity

Question 13

Which of the following is a strategy for resisting conformity?

Accepted Answer

Seeking out dissenting opinions

Answer

Going along with the majority

Answer

Focusing on group goals

Answer

Avoiding eye contact

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of informational conformity?

Accepted Answer

Changing one's opinion to match the group's opinion in a situation where the correct answer is unknown.

Answer

Changing one's behavior to match the group's behavior to avoid rejection.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of normative conformity?

Accepted Answer

Changing one's behavior to match the group's behavior to avoid rejection.

Answer

Changing one's beliefs to match the group's beliefs after repeated exposure to their arguments.

Answer

Changing one's opinion to match the group's opinion in a situation where the correct answer is unknown.

Question 16

According to Milgram's obedience experiments, which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Most participants were willing to administer lethal shocks to another person when ordered to do so by an authority figure.

Answer

Most participants refused to administer any shocks to another person.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences conformity?

Accepted Answer

Personal intelligence

Answer

Size of the group

Answer

Clarity of the situation

Answer

Unanimity of the group

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of informational conformity?

Accepted Answer

Changing your opinion to align with the group's opinion because you assume they have more knowledge.

Answer

Changing your opinion to match the group's opinion because you fear rejection.

Answer

Changing your behavior to match the group's behavior because you desire to fit in.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of normative conformity?

Accepted Answer

Changing your behavior to match the group's behavior because you want to be accepted.

Answer

Changing your opinion to match the group's opinion because you assume they have more knowledge.

Answer

Changing your opinion to match the group's opinion because you fear rejection.

Question 20

Which strategy can be used to resist conformity?

Accepted Answer

Seeking out and considering alternative perspectives

Answer

Going along with the group

Answer

Avoiding social situations

Question 21

Which of the following is an example of informational conformity?

Accepted Answer

Changing your opinion to match the group's opinion because you believe they have more knowledge or expertise.

Answer

Changing your behavior to match the group's behavior because you want to fit in.

Answer

Changing your opinion to match the group's opinion because you fear being different or rejected.

Question 22

In Solomon Asch's classic experiment on conformity, what was the general trend observed?

Accepted Answer

As the group size increased, so did conformity levels.

Answer

Individuals became more likely to challenge the group as its size increased.

Answer

Conformity levels remained relatively constant regardless of group size.

Answer

Conformity levels decreased as the group size increased.

Question 23

Which type of conformity is primarily driven by the desire for approval or avoidance of disapproval?

Accepted Answer

Normative conformity

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Informational conformity

Answer

Obedience

Question 24

What is a potential negative consequence of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of personal beliefs and opinions

Answer

Increased self-confidence

Answer

Enhanced creativity

Answer

Improved problem-solving skills

Question 25

Which of the following is an ineffective strategy for resisting conformity?

Accepted Answer

Going along with the group without expressing personal opinions.

Answer

Focusing on one's own values and beliefs

Answer

Rehearsing counter-arguments to opposing viewpoints

Answer

Seeking support from like-minded individuals

Question 26

How do cultural norms influence conformity within a society?

Accepted Answer

They establish guidelines and expectations for appropriate behavior.

Answer

They encourage individuals to question authority.

Answer

They only affect individuals from minority cultures.

Answer

They have no impact on conformity levels.

Question 27

Which of the following examples best illustrates informational conformity?

Accepted Answer

Adopting a new medical treatment recommended by a trusted healthcare professional.

Answer

Following a dress code to avoid social disapproval.

Answer

Participating in a protest because your friends are doing so.

Answer

Changing your opinion on a historical event to match that of your classmates.

Question 28

What is the phenomenon known as the 'bystander effect'?

Accepted Answer

The tendency for individuals to be less likely to assist someone in distress when others are present.

Answer

The tendency for individuals to become more aggressive when in a group.

Answer

The tendency for individuals to conform to the majority opinion even when it is incorrect.

Question 29

In a renowned conformity experiment, individuals judged the length of lines. When confederates gave incorrect answers, many participants conformed and also gave incorrect answers. This study is attributed to which researcher?

Accepted Answer

Solomon Asch

Answer

Henri Tajfel

Answer

Philip Zimbardo

Answer

Stanley Milgram

Question 30

Which of the following factors is NOT known to influence conformity?

Accepted Answer

Individual intelligence

Answer

Clarity of the situation

Answer

Social support

Answer

Group size

Question 31

You are in a social setting where you are unsure of the norms. You observe the behavior of others to gather information on how to act appropriately. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Informational social influence

Answer

Social facilitation

Answer

Deindividuation

Answer

Normative social influence

Question 32

Imagine you are in a group of friends who are trying a new food. You're not sure if you like it, but everyone else seems to be enjoying it. You decide to express that you like it as well. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Normative social influence

Answer

Informational social influence

Answer

Compliance

Answer

Minority influence

Question 33

Which of the following is a potential negative consequence of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Greater sense of individuality

Answer

Improved problem-solving

Answer

Increased creativity

Question 34

Which of the following statements accurately describes the concept of 'minority influence'?

Accepted Answer

A small group can influence the majority's opinion through consistent and compelling arguments.

Answer

The majority always dominates, regardless of the minority's perspective.

Answer

Minorities always possess the correct viewpoint, and their opinions should be accepted.

Question 35

Which of these scenarios best illustrates the concept of 'compliance'?

Accepted Answer

A student reluctantly agrees to assist a friend with a task despite personal reservations.

Answer

A teenager joins a band solely because their friends are members.

Answer

An employee modifies their opinion regarding a policy after hearing the CEO's reasoning.

Question 36

The 'foot-in-the-door' technique is commonly employed to increase compliance. How does this technique operate?

Accepted Answer

By initiating with a small request and gradually escalating the size of the request.

Answer

By emphasizing the advantages of complying with the request.

Answer

By invoking a sense of urgency and limited availability.

Question 37

Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between conformity and culture?

Accepted Answer

Cultures that emphasize collectivism generally exhibit higher levels of conformity.

Answer

Conformity is a universal phenomenon across all cultures.

Answer

Individualistic cultures tend to have higher levels of conformity.

Question 38

In Solomon Asch's famous experiment, participants were shown lines of different lengths and asked to identify the longest line. However, others in the group (who were actually part of the experiment) gave incorrect answers. This study demonstrated the power of:

Accepted Answer

Conformity

Answer

Obedience

Answer

Groupthink

Question 39

Which of these factors is LEAST likely to increase conformity?

Accepted Answer

Having a high level of confidence in your own judgment

Answer

Being unsure of the correct answer

Answer

Being in a group of at least three people

Question 40

The idea of 'informational social influence' explains why we conform because:

Accepted Answer

We think others have more information about the situation than we do

Answer

We want to avoid being punished

Answer

We want to be liked by them

Question 41

Which of these is an example of normative social influence?

Accepted Answer

A teenager wears the same clothes as their friends because they want to fit in.

Answer

A driver slows down when they see a police car.

Answer

A student follows their teacher's instructions during an experiment.

Question 42

In which scenario is someone MOST likely to NOT conform?

Accepted Answer

When they are confident in their own abilities and judgment.

Answer

When the group is important to them.

Answer

When the group is unanimous in their opinion.

Question 43

Which of the following is a potential NEGATIVE consequence of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Greater sense of belonging

Answer

Improved problem-solving

Answer

Increased creativity

Question 44

The 'minority influence' idea suggests that:

Accepted Answer

A consistent and confident minority group can sometimes persuade a larger group to change their views.

Answer

Minority groups are always powerless to influence the majority.

Answer

Minority groups tend to conform to the majority's opinion.

Question 45

What is a helpful strategy for resisting conformity?

Accepted Answer

Be aware of social pressures and make your own decisions.

Answer

Always agree with the majority to avoid conflict.

Answer

Ignore the opinions of others completely.

Question 46

The Milgram experiment, while ethically controversial, primarily demonstrated the power of:

Accepted Answer

Obedience to authority

Answer

Social loafing in group tasks

Answer

Conformity to group norms

Answer

The bystander effect in emergencies

Question 47

A student feels nervous about giving a presentation in front of their class and decides to copy the style of their favorite professor. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Social comparison

Answer

Groupthink

Answer

Social loafing

Question 48

Which of the following BEST describes conformity?

Accepted Answer

Adjusting your behavior to match a group's expectations.

Answer

Acting independently, regardless of group pressure.

Answer

Resisting any influence from a group.

Answer

Following all group rules without question.

Question 49

What is a potential consequence of conforming to a group?

Accepted Answer

Reduced feelings of discomfort from conflicting beliefs.

Answer

Improved ability to make decisions.

Answer

Increased confidence in yourself.

Answer

Greater personal creativity.

Question 50

Which of these is a helpful strategy to resist conforming to a group?

Accepted Answer

Actively seeking out opinions that disagree with the group's.

Answer

Changing your personal beliefs to fit in.

Answer

Avoiding social situations where conformity might occur.

Answer

Simply going along with the majority opinion.

Question 51

Which situation is an example of informational conformity?

Accepted Answer

Choosing the same restaurant as your friends because they seem to know the best one.

Answer

Changing your opinion on a political issue after hearing arguments from your friends.

Answer

Wearing the same clothes as your classmates to fit in.

Question 52

In the Asch conformity experiment, what were participants asked to do?

Accepted Answer

Identify the length of a line compared to other lines.

Answer

Answer questions about current events.

Answer

Discuss a controversial social topic.

Answer

Solve a complex puzzle.

Question 53

What was a key finding of the Milgram obedience experiment?

Accepted Answer

Many people were willing to obey authority figures, even when asked to harm others.

Answer

People are more likely to obey authority when they are in a group.

Answer

Most people refused to follow an authority figure's instructions.

Question 54

What is a potential positive effect of conforming to a group?

Accepted Answer

It can help create a sense of belonging and unity within a group.

Answer

It can make people less imaginative.

Answer

It can lead to groupthink, where critical thinking is suppressed.

Answer

It can harm a person's self-esteem.