Teaching Notes for Conformity Bias – Page 1 of 4
Conformity Bias
This video introduces the behavioral ethics bias known as conformity bias. Conformity bias refers to
our tendency to take cues for proper behavior in most contexts from the actions of others rather than
exercise our own independent judgment. Conformity bias may occur when we face peer pressure or
are trying to fit into particular professional or social environments.
To learn about related behavioral ethics concepts, watch Obedience to Authority and Role Morality. To
learn a method to voice oneself when facing conformity bias, watch the GVV video series, especially
GVV Pillar 6: Voice.
The case study on this page, “Reserve Police Battalion 101,” takes a look at the dangers of conformity
bias in the context of the Holocaust, in which many ordinary German men aided willingly aided Nazi
officers in murdering millions of Jews. For a related case study that explores the dangers of obedience
to authority facing a Nazi officer, see “Stangl & the Holocaust.”
Behavioral ethics draws upon behavioral psychology, cognitive science, evolutionary biology, and
related disciplines to determine how and why people make the ethical and unethical decisions that
they do. Much behavioral ethics research addresses the question of why good people do bad things.
Many behavioral ethics concepts are explored in detail in Concepts Unwrapped, as well as in the video
case study In It to Win: The Jack Abramoff Story. Anyone
who watches all (or even a good part) of these videos will
have a solid introduction to behavioral ethics.
Terms defined in our ethics glossary that are related to the
video and case studies include: conformity bias, obedience
to authority and role morality.
Discussion Questions
1. Can you think of a time when you did something
just because everyone else was doing it—even when it didn’t feel quite right to you? Do you
regret it now?
2. It was recently observed that “cheating is contagious.” Does that sound true to you? Why or
why not? If it is true, why might this be the case?
3. Loyalty is generally considered a good quality. When a group to which you owe loyalty seems to
be making a decision that seems unethical to you, how should you go about trying to balance
your loyalty to the group against your own ethical integrity? Have you had an experience like
that? If so, how did you resolve it?
4. Can you explain how “groupthink” works? Can you think of a time when you have been subject
to groupthink?
