conformity: types and explanations Flashcards
internalisation definition
a deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. it leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when group is absent
identification definition
a moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be part of it. but we don’t necessarily believe with everything the group/majority believes
compliance definition
a superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. the change in behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us
informational social influence (ISI) definition
an explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority as we believe it is correct. we accept it because we want to be correct as well. this may lead to internalisation
normative social influence (NSI) definition
an explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked. this may lead to compliance
who suggested there are 3 ways people conform to the opinion of the majority
Kelman
when did Kelman suggest there are 3 ways people conform to the opinion of a majority
1958
3 types of conformity
-internalisation
-identification
-complacence
least and most permanent type of conformity
least-compliance
middle-identification
most-internalisation
strongest to least type of conformity
strongest-internalisation
middle-identification
-least-compliance
when does internalisation occur
when a person genuinely accepts the group norms
what does internalisation result in
a private and public change of behaviour/opinions
permanence of internalisation
change is usually permanent because attitudes have been internalised. this change persists even in absence of other group members
when does identification happen
when we conform to the opinions/behaviours of a group because there is something about the group we value. we identify with a group, so we want to be part of it
identification results in
publicly changing our opinions/behaviours to be accepted by the group, even if we don’t private agree with everything the group stands for
compliance results in
a superficial change, the particular behaviour/opinion stops as group pressure stops
when does compliance happen
involves simply ‘going along with others’ in public but privately not changing personal opinions and/or behaviours
who introduced the two-process theory of the 2 main reasons people conform
Deutsch and Gerald
when did Deutsch and Gerald develop the two-process theory of the main reasons people conform
1955
what are the two central human needs in the two-processes theory
-need to be right (NSI)
-need to be liked (ISI)
what is informational social influence (ISI)
who has the better information - you or the rest of the group
why is ISI used
when we are uncertain about what behaviors/beliefs are right or wrong. for example if you do not know the correct answer in class, but most of your class gives one answer you accept it as you feel they are likely to be right. we follow the majority of the group as we want to be right
type of process ISI is
cognitive- to do with what you think
what does ISI lead to
permanent change in behaviour (internalisation)
what situations does ISI occur in
-situations new to a person
-where there is some ambiguity
-in crisis situations where decisions have to be made quickly and we assume that the group is more likely to be right
what is normative social influence (NSI)
norms or typical behaviour for a social group
why is NSI used
norms regulate behavior of groups and individuals so we pay attention to them. people do not like to appear foolish and prefer to gain social approval rather than being rejected
what type of process is NSI
emotional
what does NSI lead to
temporary change in behvaiour /opinion (compliance)
when does NSI occur
-situations with strangers where you feel concerned about rejection
-with people you know because we are most concerned about the social approval of our friends
-may be more pronounced in stressful situations where people have a greater need for social support
strength of explanation of conformity - research support for NSI
Asch interviewed his participants, some said they conformed because they felt self-conscious and were afraid of disapproval. when participants wrote their answers down, conformity fell to 12.5%. this is because giving answers privately meant there was no normative group pressure –> shows that as least some conformity is due to a desire not to be rejected by the group for disagreeing with them
what are the 2 explanations for conformity
-informational social influence (ISI)
-normative social influence (NSI)
strength if explanation of conformity - research support for ISI
-evidence to support ISI from Lucas wt al (2006)
-Lucas et al found participants conformed more often to incorrect answers when they were given a maths problem that was difficult. this is because when the problems were easy participants knew there own mind but when problems were hard the situation became ambiguous. the participants did not want to be wrong so relied on answers they were given –> shows ISIS is a vaild explanation of conformity because the results are what ISI could predict
limitation of explanation on conformity - counterpoint for research support for ISI
-unclear whether it is NSI or ISI at work in research studies or in real life. Asch (1955) found conformity reduces when there is one other dissenting participant. the dissenter may reduce the power of NSI as provide social support or reduce as the power of ISI as provide alternative source of information. both of these interpretations are possible –> it is hard to separate ISI and NSI and both processes possibly operate together in real-world conformity situations
example of NSI
Schultz et al (2008) found they were able to change the behaviour of hotel guests by using printed messages encouraging them to save energy. these messages suggested other guests were using fewer bath towls were most successful
limitation of explanations of conformity - individual differences in NSI
-limitation is NSI does not predict conformity in every case
-some people are greatly concerned with being liked by others, these people are calles nAffiliators as they have a strong need for affiliation (want to relate to other people). McGehh and Teevan (1967) found students who were nAffilitaors were more likely to conform –> shows NSI underlines conformity for some people more than it does for others. there are individual differences in conformity that cannot be explained by one general theory of situational pressures
evaluation of explanation of conformity
-the fact that it is unclear if NSI or ISI is in use suggests distinction is not useful as it is impossible to work out which is operating. Lucas et al findings could be due to NSI, ISI or both.
-however, Asch’s research clearly demonstrates both NSI and ISI as reasons for conformity. for example, in terms of group unanimity, a unanimous group is a powerful source of disapproval. the possibility of rejection is a strong reason for conforming (NSI). but is also true that a unanimous group coveys the impression that everyone is in the know apart form you (ISI)
