1.2: Normative social influence (NSI)

Question 1

Explain what is meant by normative social influence (3 marks)

Answer 1

Normative social influence (NSI) is where someone conforms, because they want to be liked and accepted by the group.
The person may publicly change their behaviour/views, but privately disagree.
This type of social influence is also known as compliance

Question 2

Priti has recently moved to a new school and has found it hard to make new friends, but she noticed that many fellow students support the local football team, Vale City.
She bought a replica shirt of the team, even though she had little knowledge of or interest in football, and on wearing the shirt to school, soon found people being friendly to her and including her in their activities.

Normative social influence is being exhibited in the above passage.
Refer to features of the passage to justify this (3 marks)

Answer 2

Normative social influence is being exhibited in the above passage, because Priti buys and wears a replica football shirt, even though she has little knowledge of or interest in football, in order to be accepted by the other students and not excluded from their activities