Chapter 1.1 - Types and explanations for conformity Flashcards
What are the three types of conformity?
Internalisation, identification, and compliance
What is internalisation?
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when the group is absent
What is identification?
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be a part of it. But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes
What is compliance?
A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us
What are the explanations for conformity?
Informational social influence and normative social influence
What is informational social influence?
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct, it is a cognitive process
What is normative social influence?
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked, it is an emotional process
When is ISI most likely to happen?
In situations that are new to a person/where this is some ambiguity(lack of clarity for what is right), and situations of crisis, where decisions have to be made quickly
When is NSI most likely to happen?
In situation with strangers, people you know(we are most concerned about the social approval of our friends), and in stressful situations where people have a greater need for social support
What is an advantage for ISI? (research support)
Lucas conducted a study and found that participants conformed more often to incorrect answers when given difficult maths problems. The situation became ambiguous and the participants didn’t want to be wrong
What is a counterpoint for ISI? (research support)
It is often unclear whether it is ISI or SNI present in studies/real life, for example Asch found that conformity rates reduced when one other dissenting participant was present
What is an advantage for NSI? (research support)
When Asch interviewed his participants, some said they conformed because they felt self-conscious giving the correct answer and were afraid of disapproval
- Conformity fell to 12.5% when the answers were written down in private, meaning there was no normative group pressure showing that conformity is due to a desire to not be rejected by the group for disagreeing with them
What is a limitation for NSI? (naffiliators)
It cannot be the explanation for every situation as some people(nAffiliators) are greatly concerned with being liked by others and have a strong need for affiliation and are more likely to conform
- shows that NSI underlies conformity for some people more than it does for others and the individual differences in conformity cannot be fully explained by a single theory
Is the distinction between ISI and NSI useful?
The differentiation of both explanations is extremely difficult but Asch’s research demonstrates both ISI(task difficulty) and NSI(group unanimity )
