Eriksson, K and Coultas, J C (2009) Are people really conformist-biased? An empirical test and a new mathematical model. Journal of Evolutionary Psychology, 7 (1). pp. 5-21. ISSN 1789-2082

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Abstract

According to an influential theory in cultural evolution, within-group similarity of culture is explained by a human 'conformist-bias', which is a hypothesized evolved predisposition to preferentially follow a member of the majority when acquiring ideas and behaviours. However, this notion has little support from social psychological research. In fact, a major theory in social psychology (LATANÉ and WOLF, 1981) argues for what is in effect a ‘nonconformist-bias’: by analogy to standard psychophysics they predict minority sources of influence to have relatively greater impact than majority sources. Here we present a new mathematical model and an experiment on social influence, both specifically designed to test these competing predictions. The results are in line with nonconformism. Finally, we discuss within-group similarity and suggest that it is not a general phenomenon but must be studied trait by trait.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Cultural evolution, conformist bias, social impact theory, minority influence
Schools and Departments:	School of Psychology > Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion H Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Julie Coultas
Date Deposited:	12 Mar 2013 11:30
Last Modified:	24 Feb 2023 17:45
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/44008

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