In a recent online health study, researchers investigated behavior during group exercise classes. Genuine participants joined a live-streamed fitness session via video call to evaluate a new home-workout routine. Unbeknownst to them, the other five active video tiles on their screen showed confederates working for the researchers. When the instructor gave a clear instruction to perform a basic shoulder roll, the five confederates instead began performing an exaggerated, awkward jumping-jack movement.
Despite the physical mismatch, 64% of the genuine participants conformed and joined in with the jumping-jack movement. In post-session interviews, these participants revealed they knew the movement was wrong but complied because they 'wanted to fit in with the group's vibe' and 'did not want to stand out as uncooperative' on screen.
Explain why the study described in 'The Group Fitness Study' article can be placed within the social area of psychology.
