In this second half of the course we are turning to processes of social interaction. Conformity surely has its good sides, as in the organization and coordination of groups and societies, but it also has its bad sides, as in the blind obedience to fashions or leaders.
Conformity happens to a good extent without deliberation, sometimes without conscious awareness.
The Asch Situation. Persuasion A communicator's intentional attempt to change a target's opinion, belief, attitude, or behavior. Transparent appeal to the conscious and deliberative mind of the target, typically involving arguments and information. Non-transparent or even concealed appeal to the unconscious mind of the target, typically involving emotions, desires, habits, associations. By far the more studied route, both in experimental and applied psychology.