Conformity as types of social influence. AQA psychology specification. Flashcards
What is conformity in psychology?
Conformity is a type of social influence where individuals change their beliefs or behaviors to match those of a group.
True or False: Conformity only occurs in large groups.
False
What are the two main types of conformity?
Informational social influence and normative social influence.
Fill in the blank: Informational social influence occurs when individuals conform because they believe others are _______.
correct
What is normative social influence?
Normative social influence is when individuals conform to be accepted or liked by a group.
Which psychologist is known for the study of conformity using line judgment tasks?
Solomon Asch
What was the main finding of Asch’s conformity experiments?
Many individuals conform to group pressure even when they know the group is incorrect.
True or False: Group size has no effect on the level of conformity.
False
According to Asch, what happens to conformity levels when the group size increases?
Conformity levels increase with group size, but only up to a certain point.
What role does unanimity play in conformity?
Unanimity increases conformity; if one person disagrees, conformity levels typically decrease.
Fill in the blank: The presence of a _______ can reduce conformity in a group setting.
dissenter
What is the term for conforming to gain rewards or avoid punishment?
Compliance
What is internalization in the context of conformity?
Internalization occurs when individuals adopt the beliefs or behaviors of a group and make them their own.
True or False: Conformity is always a negative behavior.
False
What is the social impact theory?
The social impact theory suggests that the amount of influence a group has on an individual depends on the group’s strength, immediacy, and the number of people in the group.
What is the relationship between cultural factors and conformity?
Cultural factors can significantly influence the degree of conformity, with collectivist cultures generally showing higher levels of conformity than individualistic cultures.
Fill in the blank: Situational factors, such as _______ pressure, can influence conformity rates.
social
What is the ‘foot-in-the-door’ technique related to conformity?
The ‘foot-in-the-door’ technique is a strategy where a small request is made first to gain compliance for a larger request later.
What is the ‘door-in-the-face’ technique?
The ‘door-in-the-face’ technique involves making a large request that is likely to be refused, followed by a smaller request.
True or False: Conformity is only studied in laboratory settings.
False
How does age affect conformity?
Research shows that younger individuals, especially adolescents, tend to conform more than older adults.
What is the term for a person who does not conform to group norms?
Nonconformist
Fill in the blank: Conformity can lead to _______ when individuals suppress their own beliefs.
groupthink
What is the difference between public compliance and private acceptance?
Public compliance is conforming publicly without necessarily believing in the group’s viewpoint, while private acceptance is genuinely adopting the group’s beliefs.
What is an example of conformity in everyday life?
Changing one’s clothing style to match peers.
