1. SOCIIAL INFLUENCE (Types of Conformity) Flashcards
What are the three types of conformity proposed by Herbert Kelman (1958)?
The three types of conformity are Internalisation, Compliance, and Identification.
What is Internalisation?
Internalisation occurs when a person genuinely accepts the group norm, resulting in a private as well as a public change of opinions or behaviour. This change is permanent and persists even in the absence of the group.
Give an example of Internalisation.
A student becomes a vegetarian while sharing a flat with vegetarians at university. The student continues being a vegetarian for the rest of their life, even after leaving the group.
What is Compliance?
Compliance is when an individual changes their behaviour to fit in with the group but does not privately change their opinions or beliefs. The change is not permanent and ends when group pressure stops.
Give an example of Compliance.
A person laughs at a joke because others are laughing, even though they do not find it funny, or they give a positive review of a film they did not enjoy.
What is Identification?
Identification occurs when individuals conform to the opinions or behaviour of a group because they value being part of that group. They publicly change their opinions or behaviours to be accepted, but the change may not persist after leaving the group.
Give an example of Identification.
A high school student starts smoking to fit in with their friends. They continue smoking even when not with the group, but later, when they go to a different college, they stop smoking because they are no longer part of the original group.
How does Identification combine elements of Compliance and Internalisation?
Identification combines elements of both compliance (adopting behaviours to fit in with the group) and internalisation (accepting the attitudes and behaviours as right), but the change may not last once the individual leaves the group.
Which type of conformity results in a permanent change in behaviour?
Internalisation results in a permanent change in behaviour because the change becomes part of the person’s own beliefs.
Which type of conformity does not result in permanent change?
Compliance does not result in permanent change because the individual only changes their behaviour publicly and reverts back once group pressure stops.
What is the key difference between Internalisation and Compliance?
Internalisation involves a genuine, permanent change in behaviour and beliefs, while Compliance is a superficial, temporary change that stops when group pressure ceases.
Can someone who complies with a group behaviour still privately disagree with it?
Yes, someone who complies with a group may publicly change their behaviour to fit in, but they still privately disagree with the behaviour or opinion.
Does Identification result in a permanent change in behaviour?
No, Identification may not result in permanent behaviour change, as the person might revert to their original beliefs or behaviours once they leave the group.
