Conformity Response

Axia College Material

Appendix E

Scenario:

John is an 18-year-old freshman at New York University. John was the starting quarterback at his high school in a small town in Indiana. He enjoys playing sports and hanging out with friends. John has always been popular and done well in school and sports. Once he is comfortable in his surroundings he can be confident in what he is doing.

Donnie is an 18-year-old freshman from Chicago attending Iowa State. Donnie spends most of his time playing his guitar and writing music. In high school he had a few close friends but his attention was mainly focused on his studies and his music. He has little trouble expressing himself and enjoys doing so on stage while playing in his band. Donnie is determined to earn a degree and find a career in playing, writing, or producing music.

Response:

In 200 to 300 words provide an opinion on who would be more likely to be persuaded by peer pressures such as drinking, drug use, skipping class, and other irresponsible behavior in a new city. Then, provide your reasoning on why you chose either John or Donnie as more likely to conform to his new social situation. Reference the factors that influence persuasion and conformity discussed in your text.

Based on the description given in this scenario, I believe that John is the more likely of the two to be moved by peer pressure to engage in such behaviors as drinking and skipping class when placed into a new setting. The factors that may influence him in this way would be anti-normative behavior and unconscious influences. His background indicates that fitting into a group is important to him. His need to be comfortable in any situation would indicate that he is less likely to act on his own accord in a new setting. The scenario also indicates that his unconscious influences dictate that he follow traditional pathways to acceptance. His need to stay popular in part of a group would be likely to be more important...