conformity Flashcards
compliance
when we change our view to be more like the majority but we privately disagree - most superficial type of conformity
internalisation
when we genuinely change our minds about something because the majority have convinced us they’re right - deepest type of conformity
identification
when we adjust our beliefs or behaviour in order to become more like an individual or group we admire
Sherif (conformity to group norms) - procedure, findings and conclusion
method - individual p’s were asked to estimate how far they thought the light moved, then they were asked to give estimates together as a group
findings - in the group condition they converged and became more similar and a group norm was established
conclusion - in an ambiguous situation people will tend to look for others for guidance as they want to do the right thing
Sherif evaluation
1 - the three p’s may not have considered themselves as a group
2 - it was an ambiguous task with no right or wrong answer
3 - p’s were now expecting the light to move so they were more likely to change their minds anyway
Asch paradigm weaknesses
weakness = child of the times - only related to 1950’s America post war
weakness = not a natural setting so p’s may have known it was a test
weakness = ethical issues - naïve p’s were deceived and thought the others were genuine however this is weighed against the benefits
weakness = only men were tested
The Dual Process Dependancy Model - informational social influence
stems from our reliance on others for the correct interpretation of a situation e.g using others as a source of information - most likely to occur when we want to do the right thing - may not have enough info ourselves - acts as a guide to our own behaviour
The Dual Process Dependancy Model - normative social influence
stems from our desire to be accepted by others and our fear of social ostracism or rejection - most likely to occur when conformity is shallow - people want to fit in and be accepted
Asch - factors affecting conformity - group size
1C+1 real p = 3% conformity
2C’s+1 real p = 13% conformity
3C’s+1 real p = 23% conformity
but the conformity level didn’t increase much beyond this
with 15C’s = lower level of conformity
conclusion = conformity reaches its maximum with a majority of 3-5
Asch - factors affecting conformity - unanimity
Asch investigated this by placing C next to P and C was briefed to give correct answer of critical trials
Asch found that conformity dropped to 5.5%
conclusion = conformity dropped as the dissenter breaks the unanimity/united front
Asch - factors affecting conformity - task difficulty
when Asch made task more difficult conformity increased
Asch’s aim
to investigate responses to group pressure
Asch’s procedure
123 male students were asked to take part in a ‘visual perception task’, they were placed in groups of 7/9 and the real p was always seated in the penultimate position, then showed 2 cards one of a standard line and another with 3 comparison lines, p’s asked to call one of a time which line matched the standard one, each group completed 18 trials and confederates gave incorrect answer on 12, Asch found overall conformity rate
Asch’s results
real p’s became self-conscious, anxious and stressed, overall conformity rate was 37% and individual differences were found
5% conformed everytime
75% conformed at least once
25% never conformed
Asch’s conclusion
a high level of conformity was shown compared to a control condition where the error rate was 1%
-in a group setting people are more likely to conform
