Problem:
Respond to at least one of your colleagues and comment on what you would have done in these two situations. Given the situation, would you have done what your class colleague did in order to comply? Why, or why not?
Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the social psychology theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or Internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your post and responses. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.
Post
One instance in which I complied with an authority figure's request was when my supervisor asked me to rewrite a report to reflect her style. She informed me that if I needed to learn something different, it would be beneficial to complete it under her guidance, but that I did not have to rewrite the report. Although I felt it was unnecessary and a waste of time, especially given the many other tasks I had to complete, I proceeded to complete it. Dolinski et al. (2017) showed that when people are pressured by an authority figure, most will obey instructions, even when they have been told beforehand that they may stop.
Furthermore, in another situation, a supervisor asked me to stay late for a meeting that was not important to me, despite knowing I had to leave for an appointment outside my working hours. However, I also comply out of respect for her authority and to preserve our relationship. Research findings indicate that obedience to authority is a powerful form of social influence, and in childhood, we are taught to follow the directions of authority figures. Individuals will follow directions when they are from a legitimate authority. Aronson et al (2022) explain that when people in a position of authority strongly push us to do something, it becomes much harder to refuse. The pressure does not come solely from the request itself; it stems from the social expectation that we comply with those who have legitimate power over us. Need Assignment Help?
References:
Dolinski, D., Grzyb, T., Folwarczny, M., Grzybala, P., Krzyszycha, K., Martynowska, K., & Trojanowski, J. (2017). Would you deliver an electric shock in 2015? Obedience in the experimental paradigm developed by Stanley Milgram in the 50 years following the original studies. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 8(8), 927-933.
Aronson, E., Wilson, T. D., Sommers, S. R., Page-Gould, E., & Lewis Jr., N. (Eds.). (2023). Social psychology (11th ed.). Pearson.
Chapter 8, "Conformity and Obedience: Influencing Behavior"
Griskevicius, V., Goldstein, N. J., Mortensen, C. R., Cialdini, R. B., & Kenrick, D. T. (2006). Going along versus going alone: When fundamental motives facilitate strategic (non)conformity. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91(2), 281-294.