Conformity: Types and Explanations

Question 1

Conformity: Types of Conformity

Internalisation

Answer 1

• Internalisation occurs when a person genuinely accepts the group norms.
• This results in private as well as public change of opinions and behaviour.
• This change is usually permanent as the attitudes have been internalised and it persists even in the absense of group members.

Question 2

Conformity: Types of Conformity

Identification

Answer 2

• Sometimes we conform to the opinions and behaviour of others in a group because there is something about that group that we value.
• We identify with the group and want to be a part of it.
• This identification may mean we publically change our opinion to be accepted by the group but we don’t privately agree with everything they stand for.

Question 3

Conformity: Types of Conformity

Compliance

Answer 3

• This type of conformity involves just ‘going along with others’ in public, but privately not changing personal opinions or behaviour.
• Compliance results in superficial change and means that a particular group behaviour stop as soon as the group pressure stops.

Question 4

Conformity: Explanations for Conformity

Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Answer 4

• Explanation for conformity based on who is more knowledgable about a topic - it centres around us agreeing with the opinion of other and wanting to be correct.
• If we believe other people’s responses are correct and we are incorrect, then we will accept their response because we want to be right as well.
• It is most likely to happen in situations that are unfamiliar to a person or where there is ambiguity, or in crisis situations where decisions have to be made quickly and we assume the majority is right.

Question 5

Conformity: Explanations for Conformity

Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Answer 5

• NSI is about what is ‘normal’ or typical behaviour for a social group.
• Norms regulate the behaviour of groups and individuals so it is not surprising we pay attention to them.
• People prefer to gain social approval over appearing foolish or ‘abnormal’ - meaning NSI is an emotional rather than cognitive process that leads to a temporary change in opinions or behaviour (compliance).
• NSI is likely to occur in situations with strangers where you feel concerned about rejection.
• It may be more pronounced in stressful situations where people have a greater need social support.