Shannon W Unit 4: Understanding discipline in the uniformed public services P3, M3
Answer the following questions as fully as possible and link ALL to the uniformed public services
1 Define conformity with reference to the public services. Describe 2 research studies
which illustrate conformity.
Conformity is when someone changes their behaviour in order to fit in. Conformity isn’t
a choice however; you have to be obedient at times. An example of conforming in the
public services is wearing a uniform in any of the services.
My first example of a case study that demonstrates conformity is Asch’s experiment that
wanted to test out his theory; if someone choses an answer because the majority chose
it, even if they know it’s wrong. To do this he used the line test. This is an example of
them conforming and trying to fit in with the rest of the group rather than standing out.
37% of the time, the individual goes along with the group.
Another way to describe it would be ‘informational conformity which is basically where
someone goes along with the group because they believe they are right. Another term
used to describe it would be normity conformity which is going along with a group
because you don’t want to be disapproved.
My second case study that demonstrates conformity is Zimbardo’s Stanford prison
experiment 1971. An ad in the newspaper advertised £17 a day to be a part of the
experiment. This experiment was made up of university students, who didn’t know each
other. They were all middle class males with no physical or phonological disorders. A
coin was flipped to determine whether they would be a guard or a prisoner. The guards
were given uniforms while the prisoners were given numbers. The guards were also told
not to harm the prisoners.
The experiment lasted a total of six days and the first day was uneventful. However, the
second day lead to an early prison rebellion. Day three became more serious and the
prisoners went on a hunger strike. Day four and five continued to escalate until the final
day where Zimbardo’s wife told him to stop the experiment. This experiment was
supposed to last for two weeks however, it came to an end after only six days.
In conclusion, this experiment showed people who were given higher authority abusing
their power and it wanted to see if the students would conform to their roles.
2 Define obedience with reference to the public services. Describe 2 research studies
which illustrate obedience.
Obedience is when you are ordered to behave in a particular way or ordered to do
something by someone that is higher authority. Public service’s that are extremely strict
on obedience are any of the military services. For example, in the British Army, soldiers
such as privates or lance corporals have to salute to someone of higher authority like a
warrant officer. Obedience can also be influenced through fear, respect, rewards and
influences.
An example of a case study is an experiment conducted by Hofling which was to
demonstrate is nurses would obey orders from someone who is higher authority, in this
case a doctor. In this experiment, nurses were ordered by unknown doctors over the
phone to administer what could have been a dangerous dose of drugs to their patients.
The doses were given a fake name which showed that the nurses were unaware that this
Answer the following questions as fully as possible and link ALL to the uniformed public services
1 Define conformity with reference to the public services. Describe 2 research studies
which illustrate conformity.
Conformity is when someone changes their behaviour in order to fit in. Conformity isn’t
a choice however; you have to be obedient at times. An example of conforming in the
public services is wearing a uniform in any of the services.
My first example of a case study that demonstrates conformity is Asch’s experiment that
wanted to test out his theory; if someone choses an answer because the majority chose
it, even if they know it’s wrong. To do this he used the line test. This is an example of
them conforming and trying to fit in with the rest of the group rather than standing out.
37% of the time, the individual goes along with the group.
Another way to describe it would be ‘informational conformity which is basically where
someone goes along with the group because they believe they are right. Another term
used to describe it would be normity conformity which is going along with a group
because you don’t want to be disapproved.
My second case study that demonstrates conformity is Zimbardo’s Stanford prison
experiment 1971. An ad in the newspaper advertised £17 a day to be a part of the
experiment. This experiment was made up of university students, who didn’t know each
other. They were all middle class males with no physical or phonological disorders. A
coin was flipped to determine whether they would be a guard or a prisoner. The guards
were given uniforms while the prisoners were given numbers. The guards were also told
not to harm the prisoners.
The experiment lasted a total of six days and the first day was uneventful. However, the
second day lead to an early prison rebellion. Day three became more serious and the
prisoners went on a hunger strike. Day four and five continued to escalate until the final
day where Zimbardo’s wife told him to stop the experiment. This experiment was
supposed to last for two weeks however, it came to an end after only six days.
In conclusion, this experiment showed people who were given higher authority abusing
their power and it wanted to see if the students would conform to their roles.
2 Define obedience with reference to the public services. Describe 2 research studies
which illustrate obedience.
Obedience is when you are ordered to behave in a particular way or ordered to do
something by someone that is higher authority. Public service’s that are extremely strict
on obedience are any of the military services. For example, in the British Army, soldiers
such as privates or lance corporals have to salute to someone of higher authority like a
warrant officer. Obedience can also be influenced through fear, respect, rewards and
influences.
An example of a case study is an experiment conducted by Hofling which was to
demonstrate is nurses would obey orders from someone who is higher authority, in this
case a doctor. In this experiment, nurses were ordered by unknown doctors over the
phone to administer what could have been a dangerous dose of drugs to their patients.
The doses were given a fake name which showed that the nurses were unaware that this
