Coultas, J. C. (2004). When in Rome... an evolutionary perspective on conformity.

Group

Processes & Intergroup Relations, 7(4), 317–331.

https://doi.org/10.1177/136843020404614.

According to the University of Sussex, United Kingdom (2022), Dr. Julie Coultas is an

Associate Tutor in the Life Sciences department. Dr. Coultas is a visiting teacher abroad and has

a Ph.D. in psychology. She has published six articles and written two books on conformity.

The article aims to examine if group size is a factor when individuals conform due to

influence. Two groups were created, one large and one small to determine if those placed in a

smaller group were quicker to conform. The study did not prove that either group proved to

conform quicker than the other, instead, the study showed that conformity was more often an

unconscious imitation. The subjects likely had no intention of conforming but followed the lead

of the person before them out of habit (Coultas, 2004). The strength of this article shows the

clear, statistical data that subjects mimic what they see without question. The weakness of this

article is the actual test. Subjects might have thought to question a directive that was of more

importance to them.

This article will contribute to my Research Project because it shows that influence and

conformity sometimes happen out of habit and repetition. The lack of importance of a subject to

an individual can also lead to conformity if there is no care regarding the outcome. This article

gives great support to the theory of influence and conformity by matter or course.

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Emich, K. J. (2020). Well, I feel differently: The importance of considering affective patterns in

groups. Social & Personality Psychology Compass, 14(4), 1–13.

https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12523.

According to the University of Delaware (2022), Kyle J. Emich is an Associate Professor

of Management. Kyle’s area of expertise is the study of group dynamics and performance in

work settings. He has published numerous articles on influence and decision-making in the

workplace.

The intention of this article is to detail how group influence and interactions can affect an

individual beyond the work of the group. The study proposes that if a group member is unsure of

something, they look to their teammates to understand and assume their teammates are correct.

This quick conformity leaves the individual less likely to think for themselves in future group

situations and quicker to follow along in other situations of daily life (Emich, 2020). The

strength of this article shows the impact that group dynamics can have at work and how the

influence of groups can overflow into one’s daily life. The weakness of this article is the

suggestion that one who conforms in a group at work will automatically conform in one’s

personal life.

This article will significantly contribute to my Research Project because it details the

tremendous impact that group influence can have. The influence that the work group may have

on a person may lead to a pattern of conformity outside of the workplace. Therefore, this article

is a great reference to support the theory that group influence in the workplace can have a

profound effect on one’s daily life.

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Kakkar, H., & Sivanathan, N. (2022). The impact of leader dominance on employees’ zero-sum

mindset and helping behavior. Journal of Applied Psychology, 107(10), 1706–1724.

https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000980.

According to Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business (2022), Hemant Kakkar

received his Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from the London Business School. Dr. Kakkar’s

research has been published in numerous academic journals as well as the Harvard Business

Review.

According to the London Business School (2022), Dr. Niro Sivanathan is the Professor of

Organizational Behavior Chair. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from Northwestern and has

presented his research internationally.

The focus of this article is to study the effects of organizational leaders that use assertive

measures to influence others. This theory was tested to see if this unintentional dominant

behavior will negatively impact team effectiveness. While the leader may use strong influence

for the benefit of the organization, the behavior may adversely shape the subordinate’s mindset

and leave the employee believing they are not capable of progressing (Kakkar & Sivanathan,

2022). The strengths of this article are the factor analysis that shows that this type of dominance-

based influence can be construed as abusive and shape a negative work environment. The

weakness of this article is that it did not supply any data on employees who might have reported

this type of behavior.

This article will not contribute to my Research Project as it does not relate to influence and

conformity in group settings. This article is based on the influence of dominant leaders who use

aggressive tactics to influence employees, therefore it will not be used in the Project.

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Levitan, L. C., & Verhulst, B. (2015). Conformity in groups: The effects of others’ views on

expressed attitudes and Attitude Change. Political Behavior, 38(2), 277–315.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11109-015-9312-x.

According to Shepherd University (2022), Lindsey Levitan is an Associate Professor with

a Ph.D. in psychology. Dr. Levitan is the Research Exposure Coordinator for the University and

has won the University’s prestigious award of Outstanding Teacher in 2021.

According to Texas A & M University (2022), Brad Verhulst, Ph.D. is a Research

Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Verhulst has eighty-five published

articles on behavior patterns.

The article aims to show how the influence of others’ views can impact one’s decision-

making process. The study surveyed participants privately and then in a public, group forum and

found that the results changed in the public group setting due to the pressure of conformity

(Levitan & Verhulst, 2015). The strength of this article is the data that shows the significant

amount of changes in the participant’s answers once they were in a public setting and had to

speak their answers aloud in front of others. The weakness of this article is that this survey is

done only on the subject of politics, other topics may have brought about different results.

This article would contribute to my Research Project because it describes how

interactions with others can interfere with one’s ability to make one’s own decisions. Human

interaction can be a powerful force that can lead to a change in decision-making. Therefore, this

article is a great example of how influence can lead to conformity in groups and how fear of

negative feedback on one’s true opinion can lead to a complete change in response.

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Spears, R. (2021). Social influence and group identity. Annual Review of Psychology, 72(1),

367–390. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-070620-111818.

According to the University of Groningen, the Netherlands (2022), Dr. Russell Spears is

an Endowed Chair Professor in the Psychology Department. He received his Ph.D. from the

University of Exeter, England, and has published over two-hundred-eighty articles.

The focus of this article is group identification and relationships within groups. The study

suggests that how one defines their role in a group will determine their likeliness to conform.

Those who do not take the lead role may feel they are contradicting the group’s interests if they

do not agree with the group and may feel pressured to conform. Those that do not have strong

relationships within the group may worry about being rejected by the group if they do not

conform (Spears, 2021). The strength of this article is the harsh truth that is detailed in the

research; although the opinion is not popular, conformity is easier than fighting the group. The

weakness of the article is that it does not study a group with multiple leadership roles or a group

lacking any such role.

This article will contribute to my Research Project as it shows that group-identity-based

influence impacts one’s probability to conform. Lack of self-esteem and fear of rejection can

sway one’s ability to speak up in a situation. This article supports the theory of influence and

group pressure leading to conformity and those who adhere to injunctive or descriptive norms

that may deter one from having their own opinion.

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Wood, W. (2000). Attitude change: Persuasion and social influence. Annual Review of

Psychology, 51(1), 539–570. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.51.1.539.

According to the University of Southern California (2022), Wendy Wood Ph.D. is the

Provost Professor of Psychology and Business. Dr. Wood has received multiple awards for her

research participation and currently is the Associate Editor of Psychological Review.

This article focuses on how one person’s mood can affect the energy of a group. The

research suggests that if one’s mood is bad then there is a higher probability that one will not like

something and thus the opposite result when one’s mood is positive and that mood can carry over

to others in the group. The study also suggests that one person vocalizing their fears can impact

others’ views and lead to conformity through fear (Wood, 2000). The strength of this article

shows the bearing that one’s mood can have over an entire group. The weakness of this article

does not give statistics on the subject types that were studied.

This article would contribute to my Research Project because the research examines

another form of influence and how one person’s emotions can change the way others react.

Mood and emotion can be present without vocalization but still play a pivotal role in a group.

Therefore, this article supports the idea that influence, whether vocalized or not, can lead to

conformity.

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