Social Influence activity
Montserrat Segura Hernández
1. Describe what happens in the video in at least 50 words.
The video was about a show called Would You Fall For That where they reenacting a test of
conformity called “the elevator experiment” which consist in some actors are facing back the
elevator, insted of facing to the door (wich is the normal way), and one person (the test subject) is
observed to see is it would follow the actor's position, even the show swapping actors in and out to
reinforce the behavior. In some cases, the people change their position to match the position of the
actors, but in other cases don’t.
2. What is social conformity, or social influence? Explain it in your own words.
Social conformity is the way that a person changes his behavior, thoughts, ideals to fit in what
society expects it to be.
3. What is the Asch paradigm?
When a person’s own opinions and actions are influenced by the majority of the group.
4. How does it link to social/peer pressure?
Peer pressure is linked for the reason that it can also affect people behaviors, thoughts, and values,
and even change it, not because the people want to do it, but the person can feel the pressure to
do it or in a worse case, can also be discriminated or be a mockery if don't change.
5. Why does the situation portrayed in the video happen?
Maybe the situation happens because the elevator it’s a small space, and to be the only person who
is facing the “wrong direction” is a huge pressure to handle. Or it could be because the person did
not have enough confidence to ask why all were in the wrong direction, and for being shy or insecure
the subject falls for the influence.
II. Write down an opinion paragraph on the topic of social influence. Remember the conventions
studied.
In my opinion, social influence is a way to keep harmful stereotypes. For example, when I was a child
I used to make a lot of jokes about everything and my family liked those jokes, but one day my uncle
told me that "a girl must not be a comedian, boys do not like girls that make jokes, a girl must laugh
about the man´s jokes". So I stopped that behavior because I didn´t want to be rejected by men, I
wanted to be accepted by them. They also told me that I would never have a boyfriend because I
was too smart and that intimidates boys. For a long time, I felt that my life must have to be in
function of male approval. So I did it, paying the price that I couldn´t recognize myself. Until one
day I couldn´t stand it anymore and I started to be funny again, to study a lot again. I lost some
friends and I had many arguments with my family, but I didn´t want to be fake just to fit in the good
girl stereotype. Now I´m a happy and strong woman, with a very special kind of humor and pretty
smart in general. I also found love six years ago with a person that loves my humor and jokes. We
both are "nerds" and enjoy our time talking about science. Social influence can cause a lot of
pressure in our children, they might lose their personality and create mental disorders like
depression and anxiety. We must teach them that they are valuable just the way they are and also
teach them to have respect for any person they meet in this world because we all deserve the right
to be who we are.