This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Official Information request 'Conformity Bias NZ Lesson Planning and Sense Checking'.





Conformity Bias: In Aotearoa-The Wellington Protests
LO: Explain how people fall into extreme beliefs and change their behaviour
What is conformity bias?
The conformity bias is the tendency people have to behave like those around them rather than using their own personal judgement.
People seem to be more comfortable mimicking others, even regarding ethical matters. For example, studies show that people are more
likely to act positively, such as contributing to charity or conserving water, if they see or hear that others are doing it too. Knowing that
those around us are making an ethical choice indicates it’s the social norm, and makes it easier for us to follow suit. Unfortunately, the
flip side is also true. As psychologist Dan Ariely notes, “Cheating is contagious. When we see others succeed by cheating, it makes us
more likely to cheat as well.”
Where do we see conformity bias at school?
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Conformity Bias and Aotearoa NZ Protests: Who are the people behind the Wellington Protest? Youtube Documentary
Damien de Ment
Kelvyn Alp
Kyle Chapman
Chantelle Baker
Claire Deeks
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2. What are some links between these people?
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3. How do they get people to use ‘social media” (consider flood the zone)
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Ali Evans
Valerie

4. What do you notice about the language that Ali Evans and Valerie use?  Give examples
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5. . Consider Ali Evans and Valerie. Explain what happened to her thinking and her behaviour.  How did she and others display
conformity bias?
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6. So What? Explain to someone why does conformity bias matter to society?
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