Conformity - types and explanations

Question 1

What are the 2 explanations of conformity

Answer 1

Normative social influence
Informational social influence

Question 2

What is normative social influence
and what type of conformity is linked to it

Answer 2

Normative social influence - Where someone conforms in order to fit in and gain approval or avoid disappointment from other group members

Compliance links to this

Question 3

What is informational social influence and what type of conformity is this linked to

Answer 3

informational social influence - People conform because they are uncertain about what to do in a particular situation so they look to others for guidance

identification and internalisation links to this

Question 4

What are the 3 types of conformity

Answer 4

Compliance
Identification
Internalisation

Question 5

What is compliance

Answer 5

When a person is exposed to the view/actions of a majority they engage in social comparison.

They change their views/actions to fit in with them without analysing why there is a difference

Changes their public behaviour but not their private beliefs - Often short-term change

Question 6

What is identification

Answer 6

When a person is exposed to the view/actions of a group they validate or examine their own beliefs

They may convince themselves they are wrong and the group is right

Leads to public and private acceptance of the groups beliefs producing an attitude change - Typically short term when in the presence of the group

Question 7

What is Internalisation

Answer 7

A person changes both their public behaviour and private beliefs.

This is usually long-term change and the deepest level of conformity