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Why We Go Along

Conformity, obedience and the quiet power of the room you are in.

Social psychologyIntroductory

Free. You'll create a free account to keep your progress.

Lessons
4
Time
1 h 15 min
Pauses to think
14

About this course

Most of us believe we would stand firm when everyone around us is wrong. Seventy years of research says otherwise. This course walks through the classic studies of conformity and obedience, what they really showed, what critics found, and what helps people speak up.

You will be able to

  • Explain what Asch's line studies showed and why people conformed
  • Describe Milgram's obedience studies and their ethical controversy
  • Tell informational and normative influence apart
  • Name conditions that make dissent more likely

What is inside

  1. 1.The pressure of the group

    What happens when everyone else sees something different.

  2. 2.Following orders

    Obedience to authority, and one of the most debated experiments ever run.

    • The shock generator5 pauses9:56
    • Standing apart2 pauses12:14