http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asch_conformity_experiments
The tendency for people to conform to a regular/widespread form of behavior is, I think, one big cause of some forms of deep-rooted sexism. One point I take from the article is that even when someone disagrees with what everyone around her/him is doing, ze is still likely to do what everyone else is doing. In the study, when the correct answer was obvious, fear of differing and desire to be alike are likely reasons for conforming. Maybe some subjects doubted themselves because they thought they missed some instruction that every other supposed subject (disguised) got. We do not know exactly how the study operated, so we cannot say. However, if we move from obvious tasks (such as judging lengths of bars) to more abstract, complex, and subtle issues, such as how to respond to traditional sex roles and expectations, now it is more difficult for an individual to identify when the majority is in the right. Ze might not even consciously recognize the issue while caught up in everyday life. Or, if the issue is one that nobody in society ever articulates, the individual probably won't identify the issue explicitly. Plus, in the real world, the majority is bigger than just a classroom of people; it is all of society firmly grounded in unwritten laws of behavior. When an individual has an instance of differing ever so slightly from the norm, ze might think there is something wrong with him/her to the point that ze considers seeking a psychologist. It is difficult to call the rest of the world wrong.
I totally remember learning about this in class too! Even though it was about three years ago, I always remember this part of the experiment:
ReplyDelete"When the confederates are not unanimous in their judgment, even if only one confederate voices a different opinion, participants are much more likely to resist the urge to conform (only 5-10% conform) than when the confederates all agree. This finding illuminates the power that even a small dissenting minority can have. Interestingly, this finding holds whether or not the dissenting confederate gives the correct answer. As long as the dissenting confederate gives an answer that is different from the majority, participants are more likely to give the correct answer."
I've tested this out a few times in my own life, ie. in a yoga class, when I exhale loudly at a random point, I find others much more likely to do the same at various points throughout the class.
It always reminds me of the beautiful power we have to make room for others to explore themselves when we model "abnormal" behavior. The more I am willing to challenge gender/sex/sexuality norms, the more those around me feel the freedom to challenge norms as well. And the best part is, they don't have to be acting in the same way as me. The study says that even if the dissenter chooses a second incorrect answer, the participant is more likely to be honest about their perception. It is not just creating a different type of conformity, but truly opening up a different, freer, space for authenticity.
Also, can you send me an email at "oddtrees@gmail.com" with your name and the title of this post so that I can give you credit?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Audrey