PSY 230 Social Psychology
Assignment 2: Critical Analysis of Conformity and Obedience
Assessment Type: Individual Essay
Weighting: 30% of final grade
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Get Expert Help →Word Count: 1500 words (+/- 10%)
Due Date: March 15, 2026, 11:59 PM via online submission portal
Learning Outcomes Assessed:
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🖉 Start My Order →- LO1: Demonstrate understanding of key social psychological theories and experiments.
- LO2: Critically analyze the ethical implications of research in social influence.
- LO3: Apply social psychology concepts to contemporary issues.
Context
This assignment focuses on the foundational concepts of conformity and obedience in social psychology. Drawing from classic experiments by Asch and Milgram, you will explore how these processes influence behavior in modern contexts, such as social media or workplace dynamics. This task encourages you to engage with peer-reviewed sources and consider ethical debates, preparing you for advanced study or professional applications in fields like counseling or policy.
Task Description
Write a critical essay that evaluates the concepts of conformity and obedience. Select one classic experiment (e.g., Asch’s line judgment study or Milgram’s obedience study) and one contemporary example (e.g., online echo chambers or authority in healthcare settings). Analyze how these illustrate social influence mechanisms, discuss methodological strengths and limitations, and address ethical concerns. Support your arguments with evidence from at least four scholarly sources.
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🏢 Claim 20% Off →Requirements
- Structure your essay with an introduction, body paragraphs (including analysis of the experiment, contemporary application, and ethics), and conclusion.
- Use APA 7th edition formatting for in-text citations and references.
- Include a reference list with at least four sources, two of which must be peer-reviewed journal articles published after 2018.
- Submit as a Word document or PDF, double-spaced, 12-point font (Times New Roman or Arial).
- Avoid plagiarism; all submissions will be checked via Turnitin.
- Late submissions incur a 5% penalty per day unless an extension is granted.
Scoring Rubric
The rubric below outlines the criteria and performance levels. Total points: 100.
| Criteria | Excellent (85-100%) | Good (70-84%) | Fair (50-69%) | Poor (0-49%) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Understanding of Concepts (LO1) | Demonstrates deep knowledge of conformity and obedience, accurately describing theories and experiments with nuanced insights. | Shows solid understanding with accurate descriptions but limited depth. | Basic grasp with some inaccuracies or omissions. | Limited or incorrect understanding. | 25% |
| Critical Analysis and Application (LO2, LO3) | Provides sophisticated analysis, effectively linking classic and contemporary examples with strong evidence and ethical evaluation. | Offers good analysis with clear links and some evidence, but could be more critical. | Attempts analysis but superficial or poorly supported. | Lacks analysis or application. | 35% |
| Structure and Clarity | Well-organized with logical flow, clear language, and no errors. | Generally structured with minor issues in flow or clarity. | Adequate but with noticeable disorganization or errors. | Poorly structured and unclear. | 20% |
| Referencing and Research | Excellent use of sources, flawless APA formatting. | Good sources with minor formatting issues. | Adequate but limited sources or errors. | Inadequate referencing or plagiarism. | 20% |
Milgram’s obedience study revealed that ordinary individuals could administer harmful shocks under authority pressure, highlighting the power of situational factors in behavior. Recent replications in health settings show similar patterns, where students obey unethical instructions from superiors. Ethical critiques argue that such experiments risk participant distress, yet they inform safeguards in modern research (Violato et al., 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-021-10085-4). Applying this to social media, users often conform to group norms in echo chambers, amplifying misinformation.
References
- Meyer, M. (2021). Putting the onus on authority: A review of obedient behavior and why we should move on. New Ideas in Psychology, 60, p.100833. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.newideapsych.2020.100833
- Violato, E., Witschen, B., Violato, E. and King, S. (2022). A behavioural study of obedience in health professional students. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 27, pp.187–202. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-021-10085-4
- Dolinski, D. and Grzyb, T. (2020). The social psychology of obedience towards authority: An empirical tribute to Stanley Milgram. Routledge. Available at: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003049470
- Gudehus, C. (2023). Appropriations of social psychological studies in genocide research exemplified by references to Solomon E. Asch’s study of independence and conformity. Journal of Genocide Research, 25(1), pp.1-20. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/14623528.2021.1987039
- Capuano, C. and Chekroun, P. (2024). A systematic review of research on conformity. International Review of Social Psychology, 37(1), pp.1-20. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5334/irsp.836 (adjusted from hal)
