Topic 3:
1a). Describe how social psychologists have studied conformityin the laboratory. Explain what their findings reveal about thepotency of social forces and the nature of evil. Be sure to explainSherif's studies of norms formation; Asch's studies of grouppressure and Milgram's obedience studies.
2a). What is conformity? Identify situations that trigger much -and little - conformity. 2b). Discuss the concepts of reactanceandasserting uniqueness.
3a). Identify and explain the central route of persuasion and theperipheral route. 3b). Describe how the factors that composepersuasion affect the likelihood that we will take either thecentral or the peripheral route to persuasion.
4a). Can persuasion be resisted? Explain your rationale.4b).  Identify some tactics for resisting influence. Howmight we prepare people to resist unwanted persuasion?
5a). Explain how we are impacted by the presence of others. 5b).Does the presence of observers always arouse people? Explain yourresponse. 5c). What factors would lead us to be aroused in thepresence of others - explain each factor.
6a). What is social loafing? 6b). How does social loafing occurin everyday life? Provide examples from your own experience tosupport research.
7a). Define and explain deindividuation and identifycircumstances that trigger it. Â
8a). What is group polarization? 8b). Provide examples of grouppolarization in schools, in communities, on the Internet and interrorist organizations. 8b).  Describe when and whygroup influences often hinder good decisions. Describe also whengroups promote good decisions and how we can lead groups to makeoptimal decisions. Be sure to discuss impacts of groupthink.
