Conformity: Types and Explanations Flashcards
What is internalisation?
When a person genuinely accepts group norms, leading to both private and public change in opinions and behavior.
Is the change in internalisation permanent or temporary?
Usually permanent, as attitudes become part of how the person thinks.
What is identification?
When a person values a group and wants to be part of it, leading to public conformity, even if private beliefs do not fully change.
Does identification result in a permanent change in beliefs?
No, private beliefs may not fully change, but public behavior aligns with the group.
What is compliance?
A temporary agreement where a person publicly conforms but privately maintains their own opinions.
Does compliance result in a lasting change?
No, conformity stops once group pressure is removed.
What is Informational Social Influence
A cognitive process where people conform because they want to be right.
What type of conformity does ISI lead to?
Internalisation.
When is ISI most likely to occur?
In ambiguous or new situations where people are unsure of the correct behavior.
Give an example of ISI.
In a class, if unsure of an answer, you may adopt the majority’s response because you assume they are right
What is Normative Social Influence
An emotional process where people conform to gain social approval or avoid rejection.
What type of conformity does NSI lead to?
Compliance
When is NSI most likely to occur?
In unfamiliar situations, with friends, or in stressful scenarios where social support is needed.
Give an example of NSI.
Dressing a certain way to fit in with a group, even if you don’t personally like the style.
Strength (1) of types and explanations of conformity
strength of NSI is that there is research support.
Asch (1951) found many participants conformed rather than give the correct answer because they were afraid of disapproval.
When participants wrote down answers (no normative pressure , conformity fell to 12.5%
This shows that at least some conformity is due to a desire not to be rejected by the group for disagreeing with them.
Strength (2) of types and explanations of conformity
Another strength is research support for ISI.
Lucas et al. (2006) found participants conformed more to incorrect answers when maths problems were difficult (with easy problems, participants
‘knew their own minds’).
For hard problems the situation was ambiguous (unclear) so they relied on the answers they were given.
This supports IS! because the results are what ISI would predict.
Limitation of types and explanations of conformity
limitation is individual differences in NSI.
Some people are concerned about being liked by others -nAfiliators who have a strong need for ‘affliation’ (need to relate to other people).
McGhee and Teevan (1967) found that students who were nAhliators were more likely to conform.
This shows NSI underlies conformity for some people more than for others - an individual difference not explained by a theory of situational pressures.
