Conformity - Types and Explanations

Question 1

Define Conformity

Answer 1

A change in a persons behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people.

Question 2

Define Internalisation

Answer 2

conforming to the group because you accept it’s norms - you agree privately as well as publicly (permanent change)

Question 3

Define identification

Answer 3

Conforming to the group because we value it - prepared to change views to be accepted by group.

Question 4

Define compliance

Answer 4

A superficial agreement with the group - going along with it publicly but holding a different view privately (temporary change).

Question 5

Define Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Answer 5

Agreeing with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. May lead to compliance.

Question 6

Define Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Answer 6

Agreeing with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accept it because we want to be correct as well. This may lead to internalisation.

Question 7

Explain how research helps support ISI. (Evaluation of ISI)

Answer 7

A researcher found p’s conformed more to incorrect answers when maths problems were difficult. Therefore, this supports ISI because the results are what ISI would predict.

Question 8

Explain how individual differences counter NSI. (Evaluation of NSI)

Answer 8

Some people are concerned about being liked by others - nAffiliators. Researchers found that students who were nAffiliators were more likely to conform. Therefore, NSI underlines conformity for some people more than others

Question 9

Explain how ISI and NSI are difficult to separate. (Evaluation of both)

Answer 9

It is unclear which of NSI or ISI operate in studies and real life. A dissenter may reduce the power of NSI (social support) or reduce the power of ISI (alternative source). Therefore, ISI and NSI are hard to separate and they operate together in most real - world situations.