Conformity: types and explanations Eval

Question 1

Research support For ISI (informative social influence)

strength

Answer 1

Lucas et al asked students to answer mathematical problems that were easy or more difficult. There was greater conformity in the more difficult maths problems than easier ones. This was most true for those that rated their maths ability as poor. This goes to show that people conform most when they feel they dont know the answer. Therefore we look to others because we feel they know better than us and must be right.

Question 2

ISI and NSI work together

Weakness

Answer 2

Deutsch and Gerrard’s two process approach that behaviour is either due to NSI or ISI. However more often the two process are both being used in a situation. In Asch’s study the dissenter may reduce the power of NSI(dissenter provides social support) or the dissenter may reduce the power of ISI because there is an alternative source of information.Therefor it is impossible to explain if some1 is conforming due to ISI or NSI. This shows that the NSI and ISI is not a two process approach as both are involved in some situations

Question 3

Individual differences in NSI

weakness

Answer 3

NSI doesn’t affect everyone’s behaviour in the same way. For example those who are nAffillators(greater need for affiliation). These people are more likely to conform than those who are less concerned with being liked. (McGhee and Teevan) This shows that the desire to be liked underlies conformity for some people more than others. Therefore there are individual differences in the way people respond to conformity.

Question 4

Research support for NSI

strength

Answer 4

NSI has helped in shaping behaviours such as smoking and energy conservation. Linkenbach and Perkins found that adolescents exposed to the simple message that majority of their age peers did not smoke were subsequently less likely to take up smoking. In the same way Schultz et found that hotel guests exposed to the normative message that 75% of guests reuse their towels each day reduced their own towel use by 25%. These studies support the claim that people shape their behaviour out of desire to fit in with their reference group,and as such demonstrate the power of NSI

Question 5

Individual differences in ISI (weakness)`

Answer 5

ISI doesn’t affect every1’s behaviour in the same way. Foe example Asch found that students were less conformist(28%) than other ppt(37%). Perrin and Spencer conducted a study involving engineering students and found very little conformity.This suggest that ISI isnt a valid explanation for everyone