Conformity: Types and explanations

Question 1

What is superficial conformity (Compliance)

Answer 1

People go along with the group and change behaviour/opinions in public but do not change in private
Cady at the start of mean girls

Question 2

What is moderate conformity (Indentification)?

Answer 2

People identify with a particular group so will change opinions/behaviours in public to be accepted by the group, but person may not privately agree with everything the group believes

Question 3

What is deep conformity (Internalisation)?

Answer 3

When a person truly accepts the group norms- change of opinions/behaviour is private as well as public, and often permanent- even when the group is absent.

Question 4

What is informational social influence?

Answer 4

Agreeing with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct

Question 5

Is ISI a cognitive or emotional process ?

Answer 5

Cognitive- based on thoughts

Question 6

Does ISI lead to a permanent or temporary change?

Answer 6

Permanent- it can lead to internalisation

Question 7

When is ISI a most likely to occur?

Answer 7

In ambiguous situations, new situations, crisis situations

e.g copying someone’s answer off a whiteboards

Question 8

What is normative social influence?

Answer 8

Agreeing with the opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked

Question 9

Is NSI and emotional or cognitive process?

Answer 9

Emotional- based on feelings

Question 10

Does NSI lead to temporary or permanent change?

Answer 10

Temporary- can lead to compliance

Question 11

When is NSI most likely to to occur?

Answer 11

In situations where we fear rejection or where we feel stressed

e.g saying you don’t like something that you actually do, to fit in with the group

Question 12

Supporting evidence of NSI (+)

Answer 12

Asch found that conformity dropped to 12.5% when ps wrote down their answers
therefore this supports the idea that conformity ed by a need to be accepted and liked by groups norms

Question 13

Criticisms of the supporting evidence (Asch’s study&NSI) (-)

Answer 13

This research study makes it hard to tell whether NSI or ISI is the cause of conformity
In Asch’s study, he found conformity reduced when there is one other dissenting p
It is hard to separate ISI and NSI as both processes operate together in most real-world conformity situations

(Asch’s study is also not representative)

Question 14

Applications of explanations for conformity (+)

Answer 14

These explanations can be applied to read life to help or use to our advantage in adevertisements.
- Shultz (2009) found social behaviour could be changed by referencing other people that are doing the same thing in the context of saving power.
therefore this supports the ideas of conformity and people can use this to encourage donations to good causes and bring about other positive changes to society

Question 15

Is this explanation of NSI & ISI reductionistic or holistic?

Answer 15

Reductionistic
- this theory doesn’t take into account personalities like nAffiliators (people who have a strong need for affirmation) and that each individual has separate reasons for conformity
- therefore variables such as personality need to be considered and this theory is too reductionistic