Conformity : Types and Explanations Flashcards
what are the types of conformity ?
- internalisation
- identification
- compliance
what are the explanations for conformity ?
- Informational social influence
- Normative social influence
what is conformity ?
A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people
what is internalisation ?
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. This results in a private and public change of behaviour. This change is likely to be permanent because attitudes have been internalised. The behaviour persists even when group is absent
what is identification ?
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be a part of it. This results in a public change of behaviour or opinions but no internal change
what is compliance ?
A superficial and temporary type of conformity. Involves simply ‘going along’ with others in public but privately not changing opinions. Public behaviour or opinions stop when group is absent
Informational Social Influence
An explanation for conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accept it because we want to be correct as well. May lead to internalisation
Normative social influence
An explanation for conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. May lead to compliance
Evaluation - research support for NSI
when Asch interviewed his participants some said they conform because they felt self-conscious given the correct answer and they were afraid of disapproval. When participants wrote their answers down conformity voted 12.5% - no normative group pressure
- some conformity is due to a design not to be rejected by the group for disagreeing with them.
Evaluation - research support for ISI
P: research support
E: Lucas et Al asked students to give answers to maths problems that we easy or more difficult.
E:There was greater conformity to incorrect answers when they were difficult than when they were easier ones. This was most true for students who rated their maths ability as poor.
L: This shows that people conform in situations where they feel they don’t know the answer
Evaluation - individual differences in NSI
P: individual differences. People who care more about being liked are more affected by NSI
E: McGhee and Teevan found that students who are nAffliators were more likely to conform.
E:The desire to be liked underlies conformity for some people more than others.
L: One general theory does not cover the fact there are differences.
