Conformity: Types And Explanations Flashcards
What are the 3 types of conformity
Identification
Internalisation
Compliance
What is internalisation
Deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct
What is identification
When someone associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like them
What is compliance
Going along with what others believe publicly but not privately
An example of identification
Zimbardos study
An example of compliance
Aschs study
What are the 2 explanations for conformity
Normative social influence
Informational social influence
What is normative social influence
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority as we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked
May lead to compliance
What is informational social influence
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority as we believe it’s correct.
May lead to internalisation
When is informational social influence most likely to happen
Where there is some ambiguity, isn’t clear what’s right
Decisions have to be made quickly
When one person or group are regarded as being more expert
What type of process is informational social influence
Cognitive process
What type of process is normative social influence
Emotional process
When is normative social influence likely to happen
In situations that are unfamiliar, where you don’t know the norms and therefore look to others about how to behave
In situations where people have a greater need for social support
One strength of informational social influence (ISI)
Research support - Lucas et al (2006) asked students to give answers to easy and difficult mathematical problems. Greater conformity to incorrect answers when they were different than when they were easier. Shows that people conform in situations they feel that they don’t know the answer
One strength of normative social influence
Research support - Asch asked participants to explain why they went along with the wrong answer. Some participants felt self conscious giving the wrong answer and they felt afraid of disapproval. Asch repeated his experiment but asked them to write down their answers- conformity rates fell to 12.5%. Supports normative social influence
