1.2 Explanations & types of conformity

Question 1

What 3 types of conformity did Kelman (1958) propose?

Answer 1

Compliance
Identification
Internalisation

Question 2

What is compliance conformity?

Answer 2

Simply ‘going along’ with others in public.

Question 3

With compliance conformity, what happens when the group is not present?

Answer 3

When the group is not present (i.e. in private) the pressure to conform disappears and we revert to our previous beliefs and behaviours.

Question 4

What is compliance conformity often described as?

Answer 4

Compliance is often described as ‘shallow’ or temporary conformity.

Question 5

What is identification conformity?

Answer 5

In order to feel as though we are ‘that kind of person’, we alter our beliefs and behaviours to match those of the group we belong to.

Question 6

What happens when the group isn’t around with identification conformity?

Answer 6

We adopt the beliefs and behaviours of the group when we are with the group but not necessarily at other times.

Question 7

What do psychologists often talk about with identification conformity?

Answer 7

Psychologists often talk about identification to social roles which may relate to the job we do (e.g. teachers/police officers/nurses), so they identify as that type of person/role.

Question 8

What is internalisation conformity?

Answer 8

We come to fully accept the beliefs and behaviours of a group. Our public beliefs & behaviours and our private beliefs & behaviours align.

Question 9

What does internalisation conformity mean?

Answer 9

It means we no longer hold our ‘old beliefs or behave in the ways we used to, even when we are away from the group.

Question 10

What form is internalisation conformity?

Answer 10

Internalisation is the deepest form of conformity that leads to permanent belief/behaviour change.

Question 11

What explanations did Deutsch and Gerrard (1955) propose as to why people conform?

Answer 11

Normative social influence (NSI)
Informational social influence (ISI)

Question 12

What is normative social influence (NSI)?

Answer 12

We want to ‘fit in’ with a group of people/avoid rejection, i.e. the desire to be accepted.

Question 13

What is informational social influence (ISI)?

Answer 13

We believe other people have some knowledge we don’t about what is ‘right’, i.e. the desire to be correct.