Social Psychology: Conformity

Starter 10: What do you think is the most important factor in getting people to do bad or violent things--their environment, or their inner personality?  Explain your answer, and give at least one example.

Lecture: Situation vs. Disposition, and Self-Serving Bias

Conformity: See handout and activities in class.  IF YOU WERE ABSENT...watch the video below, and do the following steps:

1. Summarize the main conclusions of the Asch Experiment.
2. Explain the two main reasons that people conform.
3. Explain how this experiment connects to genocide and Deogratias.
4. Give an example from your own life where you are dealing with this pressure to conform.  Explain how you reacted, and connect it back to the Asch experiment.

HWK:

1. Finish Imperialism Essay (DUE Friday- PRINT BEFORE CLASS)
2. Deogratias Seminar Reflection: What was the most interesting idea from the Deogratias Seminar?  Explain why you think is so interesting, and how it helped you to better understand the book.  How do you think your group's seminar went?  Explain why, with specific examples.  (DUE Friday- PRINT BEFORE CLASS)

ONLY IF ABSENT FOR SEMINAR/Seminar Make Up Assignment: 

1. What does this book have to say about the role of foreigners in Africa?  Make sure to discuss at least 2 different foreign characters in the book in your response.
2. What is the significance of Deogratias turning into a dog?
3. What is the significance of Deogratias killing people with poison?  Why poison?  Why those people?
4. Who do you think bears the most responsibility for what happened to Venetia and her daughters?  Explain with examples.