Conformity Flashcards
What is social influence?
The influence of other people on our everyday thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
To what does the term ‘compliance’ refer?
To publicly acting (via behaviour and expressed attitudes) according to social pressure, while privately disagreeing.
To what does the term ‘conformity’ refer?
To deep-seated, private, and enduring changes in behaviour and attitudes due to group pressure.
To what does the term ‘obedience’ refer?
To the undertaking of orders demanded by a person invested with authority.
What type of creatures are humans?
Social creatures
On what does the existence of cultures (as a collection of beliefs and behaviours) depend?
On conformity.
What reflects the fact that humans are conformist in nature?
Our following of the social conventions or norms of the group(s) in which we exist.
What is the standpoint of Western cultures on conformity?
That it is important not to conform, and rather that individuals should be celebrated.
How is conformity viewed by Western cultures?
As a negative concept associated with the inability to stick up for oneself and the issue of one being overly obedient to authority.
Which myth do Western cultures buy into?
The myth of the “lone genius”.
What is the standpoint of collectivist cultures on conformity?
That it is a positive concept that is associated with positive feelings, harmony and social connection.
What does Deutsch and Gerald’s (1955) two-process theory argue?
That there are two main reasons that individuals conform, based on two core human needs.
What are the two types of conformity according to Deutsch and Gerald’s (1955) two-process theory?
- Informational social influence (ISI)
- Normative social influence (NSI)
To what does the term ‘informational social influence’ refer?
To conformity resulting from a desire to be accurate.
To what does the term ‘normative social influence’ refer?
To conformity resulting from a desire to fit in and avoid social disapproval.
What is the result of normative social influence?
Public compliance with a group’s beliefs and behaviours, but not necessarily private acceptance of those beliefs and behaviours.
What is the common result of informational social influence?
Private acceptance.
By which desire is informational social influence driven?
The desire to form an accurate interpretation of reality and behave correctly.
To what does the term ‘wisdom of crowds’ refer?
To the belief that a group majority’s interpretation of an ambiguous situation is more likely to be correct than one’s own interpretation of it.
When is informational social influence most likely to occur?
- When a situation is ambiguous.
- During times of crisis.
- When other members of the group are experts.
What is the most crucial variable involved in becoming vulnerable to the influence of others?
Ambiguity
What tends to happen the greater the uncertainty around a situation is?
An individual is likely to rely more on others.
Why is informational social influence likely to occur in times of crisis?
Due to the time pressure that tends to be involved in critical situations.
