ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the process underlying conformity and obedience. It looks at how groups can influence one to behave differently and how we respond to people who fail to conform. The chapter examines ideas around conformity and obedience by looking at a number of classic studies exploring how people conform, and are obedient to, authorities in groups. It explores how minorities can sometimes not only not conform but also change the social norms of the majority. The attitudes and behaviours the group members are expected to conform to are dictated by the group's social norms. In both conformity and obedience research, groups influence individuals to behave in particular ways. During group polarisation, group members generate conformity effects without always meaning to. Much of the empirical work that Moscovici undertook looked at the effectiveness of minorities undertaking different behavioural styles.
