Conformity in gender

The general psychological subject area of this study is social influence.
This can be defined as “the process by which an individual’s attitudes, beliefs or behaviours are modified by the presence or actions of others” (Saks & Krupat 1988).
There are several types of social influence but this piece of research will be investigating conformity in particular and, more specifically, gender.
Conformity is referred to as “a change in behaviour or belief as a result of real or imagined group pressure” (David Myers 1999).
Research into conformity dates as far back as 350 B.C. with Aristotle’s writings on social influences and persuasion. However, experimental studies did not begin until the twentieth century with Floyd Allport (1924).
Participants were required to judge the pleasantness of a set of odours, alone and then in small groups. Allport found that their judgements after the group discussion, approached the...