Social Norm Experiment: Scenario 6 -- Facing Essay

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Social Norm Experiment: Scenario 6 -- Facing the Wrong Way in an Elevator

Solomon Asch's Conformity Experiments during the 1950s demonstrated how much individual opinion and even perception of reality can be influenced by others (Gerrig & Zimbardo 2009, 577-579). In the original series of experiments, Asch tested subjects by presenting with a perceptual question that should have been very easy to identify the correct answer but within a group situation in which multiple confederates expressed confidence about the wrong answer. That experiment can be duplicated in many different settings and scenarios.

The reason I selected this particular scenario is that it involves one of the more subtle types of norm violations, as opposed to others that would seem to guarantee a reaction. To my mind, Asch's principle is best demonstrated by an experimental design that excludes other provocations for a response, such as invading someone else's space (e.g. standing too close or sitting at an occupied table) or acting in ways that are so unusual that they all but demand a response (e. g. loud singing in public).

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Meanwhile, the elevator scenario is so passive that it virtually guarantees that any response will demonstrate the reaction to violation of the norm. Additionally, the elevator experiment is actually the only choice on the list that also provides the dimension of possibly influencing the behavior or others and mirrors Asch's experiments (Gerrig & Zimbardo 2009, 577-579) in that respect. While there is no chance of prompting other people to sing out loud, the elevator behavior could possibly influence others to ignore their perceptions (i.e. where they see the elevator doors) and follow the experimenter's lead.

I purposely selected a government office building because it has mirrored elevator walls and because it houses many agency offices with high numbers of visitors to the building who are unfamiliar with the setting and who are easily identifiable by their "Visitor" tags on their lapels. I purposely removed mine and I dressed professionally the way someone would who worked in the building daily. I waited near an elevator bank on the 7th floor,….....

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