Social support and conformity: The role of independent assessment of reality

Abstract This study investigated the role of one factor in the reduction of conformity produced by a partner who agrees with the subject in the face of group pressure: the independent assessment of social and physical reality provided by the partner. Two social support conditions were created, differing only in the subject's perception of the partner's adequacy as a valid referent for making judgments. A unanimous group was also included to provide a conformity base line. Results indicated that the Valid Social Support condition produced a significantly greater decrease in conformity than did the Invalid Social Support condition, though both conditions reduced conformity relative to the unanimous group. Results support the hypothesis that independent assessment of reality provided by a partner is an important factor underlying the efficacy of social support in reducing conformity.

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