of the University of Queensland, performed two conformity experiments on university
students. These experiments were done too measure the influence of group norms on
student 's attitudes.
Experiment one involved 205 university students who rated themselves as being
pro-gay law reform. The students were given numerous questions that asked them to rate
the moral basis for their attitude, and what they believed society 's attitude was.
Following the questioning, the participants were told that the study is ongoing, and
previous students have been questioned on the same issues; this was done to manipulate
group norm. They were told previous students were completely for pro-gay law reform,
or …show more content…
After
receiving this information students were questioned as to whether they would show
public or private support on this social issue. Predictions were made that group support
would be essential to those with those with a low moral basis for attitudes, yet those with
a strong moral basis would show no conformity.
Basically predictions were accurate; in both experiments students that were
keener on private support, had a lower moral basis and would be more likely to show
private support when group support was apparent. The students that had a stronger moral
basis, were not affected by group norms, and were intent to act both publicly and
privately, in displaying their attitudes (On Being Loud and Proud, 2003).
These studies correspond with Muzafer Sherif 's (1935, 1937) studies of norm
formation (Myers & Spencer, 2004). Sherif found that participants would conform to
group norms, just as the participants in the Loud and Proud study did, although Sherif