Conformity types and explanations Flashcards
What are the three types of conformity?
Internalisation, compliance and identification
What is conformity?
A change in behaviour or opinions as a result real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people.
What is internalisation?
A deep type of conformity where we take on a view because we believe that it is correct. It leads to a permanent change in behaviour, even when the group is absent.
What is identification?
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way to fit in with the group but we don’t always believe everything that the group does.
What is compliance?
A superficial type of conformity where we go along with the group but privately disagree. This behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.
What is Informational Social Influence (ISI)?
An explanation for conformity where we agree with the majority because we believe it is correct. (The need to be right)
What is Normative Social Influence (NSI)?
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted. (The need to be liked)
What research supports ISI?
Lucas et al asked people to give answers to maths questions and there was greater conformity when they were more difficult, showing they conform in situations where they don’t know the answer and want to be right.
What research shows limitations of ISI?
ISI doesn’t effect everyone in the same way as students were less likely to conform than others and Perrin and Spencer also showed that engineering students were less likely to conform.
What research supports NSI?
Asch found that participants went with the wrong answer because others did and they felt self conscious to do it themselves. When Asch got participants to write down answers, conformity dropped as they didn’t need approval from others.
What research shows limitations of NSI?
NSI effects everyone differently as shown by McGhee and Teevan found that student who need to be in relationships with others are more likely to conform so individual differences can make people conform more.
What is a limitation of the two process theory?
Deutsch and Gerrard came up with the two process theory that behaviour is due to ISI or NSI but actually it can be because of both. For example Asch adding another person who doesn’t conform means that they could be reducing NSI as they have another person who can not be liked or NSI as there are multiple options which could be right and so they go with the majority,
