Part 1: Humans as Social Animals
Watch the three following video clips and then answer the questions below.
Candid Camera: Social Norms – Elevator Behavior
Brain Games: Conformity at the doctor’s office
Brain Games: Social Norms – Standing Ovations
1. Most of us giggle when we watch these clips because the “subjects” behave in
strange ways. However, most of us underestimate the power of the social situation. In
all honesty, how would you have behaved? What would you have done if you were the
subject in these “experiments”?
a. For the Candid Camera clip, would you go along with others and face the
back of the elevator if this happened to you in real life? Why or why not?
b. What about the doctor’s office? If you saw everyone in the waiting room
stand up, would you? Why or why not?
c. Finally, if you are in a room where the entire audience gets up to give a
standing ovation, would you do the same even if you didn’t know or
recognize the person being applauded? Have you ever done this in real
life?
d. What similarities did you notice amongst all three situations? What
nonverbal communications did you see and what do you think these
people were thinking went they conformed?
2. How are you influenced by the behavior of others (strangers, co-workers, peers,
family) in real life or on social media? Name some examples of real-life social norms
that you conform to. Please describe at least two real-life conformity experiences.
3. In your opinion, why is it so hard to go against what the group is doing, even when
the “group” is just a bunch of strangers in a shared public space?
Part 2: The Human Need for Social Connections
Go to the following website and read more about the human need for social
connections. Click on and read the info on all three of the following tabs/pages
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/social_connection/definition#what-is-social-
connection
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/social_connection/definition#why-practice-social-
connection
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/social_connection/definition#how-cultivate-social-
connection
1. How do psychologists define social connections?
2. Why is it important to practice social connection?
3. How can we create and cultivate social connections (write a one paragraph summary
of some of the presented options)?
4. There are several possible strategies listed on this page. Pick ONE strategy and try it
out in real life. Who did you try to connect with? Which cultivation strategy did you select
and why? How did you try this out in real life? Describe what you did and whether the
strategy was effective in making you feel greater social connection.
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