Culture and Conformity

1. Culture and Conformity A Factor Influencing Conformity

2. Collectivism and Individualism • Collectivist cultures are more conformist than individualistic cultures • Asian countries tend to be more collectivist, Western countries tend to be more individualistic • It is important however not to generalize • Example; one study showed high levels of conformity amongst Italians, and another study demonstrated Puerto Ricans valued conformity and obedience in children.

3. East vs. West

4. Case Studies • Berry – Temne people of Sierra Leone • Conformed more than inuit (Eskimo’s) • Temne have one crop that they need to survive. • Inuit’s have to hunt and gather (seals, fish, deer, whales, etc.) • Why would this affect levels of conformity?

5. Matsuda (1985) and Japanese Conformity • Aim: to prove Japanese people do conform in certain contexts. • Important Contexts: uchi, seken and soto relationships. • Also, the concept of ‘amae.’ • Please explain to Mr. Dixon what these mean.

6. What were his predictions? • He predicted that most conformity would occur within the seken groups, and then the uchi groups, and finally the soto. Why? • Because the concept of amae meant that people could differ from the group, but this only exists in uchi groups, not seken or soto. • Seken would have the most as there is still some familiarity in this group.

7. Results • High levels of conformity (exceeded expectations) • Inconsistency among the levels of conformity amongst the groups • Demonstrated that Japanese people do conform, but only in certain contexts

8. Limitations • Only studied women • Was not the same as Asch as participants didn’t conform in front of other group members • Inconsistency in results means generalizing is difficult • Were the relationship groups consistent with Japanese culture??