The Journal 1 –10th December 2013

The class start off with three lines of different length A B and C and another line which have the similar length to line B. When the student went to the toilet for a break we were all told to answer confidently that the answer is C. The student came back and we were called up one by one to answer which have the similar length with the other line. At first, the student replied B but was uncomfortable with his chosen answer because everyone had the one answer that is different from his. After given a few chance, he succumb to his lack of confidence and answered C like everyone else despite knowing that the length was obviously different than that of line B. After this, we were introduced to a new theory, Conformity which states that the presence of dissenter changes the behaviour of the subject. The lesson continues with obedience which was carried out by a number of dangerous experiments including Zimbardo’s Prison Experiment which shows that social roles changes the personality of a character. We were later taught about the Bystander Effect with a video showing people ignoring a girl screaming that the kidnapper was not her dad. The interview later reviewed that there was a sense of responsibility that will be carried should they act upon situation and they prefer not to be involved with the scene. It was also mentioned that some prefer a more passive action such as calling the police instead of direct influence. The lecture ends with group work efficiency which may have different consequences.