In this assignment, use your knowledge of obedience and authority to interpret the experiences of Juan in a typical day. While reading about Juan's day, look for the portions of the story that illustrate concepts related to obedience and conformity. You should be able to identify at least five concepts related to obedience and conformity illustrated in the text. For each concept you detect in the story, paraphrase or quote the part of the story that you believe reflects that concept.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF JUAN
Juan overslept that morning before his social psychology class, barely waking up in time to throw on a pair of designer jeans and tight-fitting t-shirt he and his friends are fond of wearing before rushing off to class. He walked into the back of the auditorium and tried to take his seat quietly in hopes of escaping the instructor's attention. Just as he sat down, the TA came over and in whispered tones instructed him to show his ID so he could be marked late. "Why couldn't he just let it go, he thought?" as he showed the TA his ID. Just as he got his ID back he heard the instructor say "That assignment is due next time." As the professor went on with the day's lecture, Juan looked over at the person sitting next to him and was happy to see it was Phillip. He didn't particularly like Phillip, but knew him from a previous class where, thank heavens, Phillip usually showed up early and took great notes. Juan had been able to borrow Phillip's notes regularly and aced the class even though he rarely attended.
As the class ended and people began packing up their books and filing out, Juan turned to Phillip and said, "So, Phillip, can I count on you to take notes for me again this semester?" Phillip frowned and said, "No, Juan. I'm not doing that again. It's too much trouble to lend them to you and you failed to return them several times last semester." "Well, can I at least borrow today's notes to see the assignment?" said Juan. "OK, but this is the last time," said Phillip.
Juan glanced quickly at the assignment and almost didn't believe Phillip's notes when he read the assignment was to violate a norm. Why would the instructor want us to do that, he thought? But eventually, he was convinced and decided he would have to do it. Juan thought it was a lame idea but he resolved to do it in order to get the points he so desperately needed to keep his grade up.
Just as Juan was heading out the door of the class on his way to his next class he ran into Amy and Holly, two friends he often spends time with. "We're skipping the rest of the day and getting a head start on partying. Join us," said Amy. "What the heck, I might as well," said Juan, and the three headed toward Amy's apartment. Just as they got outside the class building, Amy turned to Juan and said "First we have to go buy the snacks and drinks. Holly and I will pop in this store and get snacks. Since you're the only one of us who is 21, so can you go by the liquor store and pick up the wine?" "Uh, I guess so," said Juan, as he began wondering whether he'd have enough money after this to survive until his next payday.
Hint: you should provide definitions and example excerpts from the story for 5 of the following 11 concepts:
• compliance
• conformity
• door-in-the-face technique
• foot-in-the-door technique
• informational influence
• legitimate power
• norm
• normative influence
• obedience to authority
• private beliefs
• social influence