Conformity, Social Influence and Obedience P1

Question 1

What is Conformity?

Answer 1

When someone changes their behaviours or attitudes because of imagined or real pressure from a group.

Question 2

What is Compliance?

Answer 2

(Low strength Conformity)

A temporary alteration of someone’s behaviours or attitudes to avoid disapproval or being shunned from a group.

The behaviours are not continued within their private life however and only happen when in the presence of a group or the group pressure.

Question 3

What is Identification?

Answer 3

(Medium strength Conformity)

An alteration of someone’s behaviours or attitudes because they want membership of that group or are afraid to not be part of it.

The behaviours may be continued somewhat in their private life but are largely discontinued due to a lack of genuine belief in the ways of the group.

Question 4

What is Internalisation?

Answer 4

(High strength Conformity)

A permanent alteration of someone’s behaviours or attitudes because of a genuine belief in the motives of the group as they’re very involved.

The behaviours are rigorously continued in their private life because they are entirely involved within the group and its intentions.

Question 5

Give some examples of Compliance.

Answer 5

• Wearing a school uniform: The teachers will disapprove of them if they don’t wear that clothing.
• Not running by a swimming pool: A lifeguard may kick them out or berate them if they run.
• Shaking someone’s hand when you don’t want to: The person or group may disapprove of your rude attitude if you don’t comply and shake their hands.

Question 6

Give some examples of Identification.

Answer 6

• Swearing when with your friends: This could be done in an attempt to fit in and avoid being ostracised or shunned by its members.
• Copying the dress code of a friend group: May increase your standing and respectability within the group if you fit in and wear their clothes.
• Giving somebody a gift or compliment: You want to increase your standing with them and remain part of their group and compliments or gifts may help this effort.

Question 7

Give some examples of Internalisation.

Answer 7

• Changing your dietary habits: Altering your diet while with a group and privately at home because you genuinely believe that is the right thing to do.
• Being discriminative of a religious group: Criticising a religious group while with the group and also away from them is an internalised belief being followed through.
• Following a different religion permanently: This massive change may be done within the group but also externally practiced at home or with family.

Question 8

What is Normative Social Influence?

Give an example.

Answer 8

When we change our behaviour because we wish to fit in with what people around us are doing. This is because of a pressure felt whether imaginary or real.
The most common precursor to conformity.
(Leads to conformity)

• People all signing a national anthem together
• A crowd giving applause after a play
• Remaining quiet at a funeral
• Facing a certain direction in an elevator

Question 9

What is Informational Social Influence?

Give an example.

Answer 9

When we copy the answers of others or sway our decision based on the actions of the people around us. We are seeking information and want to be right leading us to replicate those people.
(Leads to Conformity)

• Copying someone’s homework because you want to be correct
• Changing your answer during a quiz because of the answers given by those around you
• Voting for a different politician because others have supplied knowledge your were unaware of
• Going a different direction because the group or individual believes it to be beneficial

Question 10

What differentiates Internalisation from the other Conformity types?

Answer 10

The practices, behaviours or attitudes are continued within their private lives whereas in the other types they are stopped because of a lack of genuine belief in those principals. Internalised behaviours are so strong they are practiced religiously and the person has full faith and belief in those principles and practices.

Question 11

Which variables may affect someone’s ability to be socially influenced?

Answer 11

• Group size
• Physical environment
• The task at hand (if present)
• The will and conviction of the person
• The credibility of the people surrounding them