Studies in social interaction. III. Effect of variation in one partner's prestige on the interaction of observer pairs

Abstract

To test the effect of variation in one partner's prestige on the interaction of observer pairs, three equated groups of 10 Ss were given the Meier Art Judgment Test twice. In the first administration, each S took the test alone. In the second administration, Group I Ss took it alone, each S in group II with a partner introduced as a fellow student, and each S in group III with a partner introduced as an "art expert." The partner in all cases made the "wrong" choice. "Degree of social influence was measured by shift in frequency of wrong judgments… the judgments were affected… and… this effect was a positive function of the partner's prestige." (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)