Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
"I'll just say what you said": a study on social conformity and sociopolitical figures
Publication Date
Winter 2025
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Psychological Science, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Adam Smiley
Presentation Type
Metadata Only
Abstract
Our research team conducted a between groups experiment with the goal of observing the effect of group dynamics on an individual’s answers, specifically in the context of responding to questions about social and political figures. As observed in previous research, when placed in group settings, people often change their responses when influenced by other people. Our research team hypothesized that when placed in a group setting, participants would change their answers to reflect similar responses of three confederates. We placed participants in two groups; the first group being the control group, and the second group being the experimental group. The control group completed a survey rating sociopolitical figures using a 1-7 likert scale. The experimental group participated in an in-person lab setting study, where they were asked to rank sociopolitical figures responding out loud, after hearing our three confederate’s responses. Data will be analyzed and results will be presented at SURS.
Recommended Citation
Kauffman, Hailey I.; Coffman, Charles W.; Mitchell, Christian L.; and Watson, Kylie J., ""I'll just say what you said": a study on social conformity and sociopolitical figures" (2025). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 329.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/329
