Conformity: Types + Explanations Flashcards
Who was the psychologist who suggested the different ways people conformed?
Herbert Kelman
What were the three ways Herbert Kelman stated people conformed?
Herbert Kelman stated that people conformed through: internalisation, identification or compliance
What is internalisation?
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when the group is absent
When does internalisation occur?
Internalisation occurs when a person genuinely accepts the group’s norms.
What are the results of internalisation?
Internalisation results in a private as well as a public change of opinions/behaviour.
When internalisation occurs, are the changes permanent or not? Why?
The changes caused by internalisation are permanent because attitudes have been internalised, becoming a part of how the person thinks
With internalisation, does the change persist in the presence of the group/majority?
With internalisation the change in opinions/behaviour persists even when group members are absent
What is identification?
A moderate type of conformity where people conform to the opinions/behaviours of the majority because they value the group and want to be part of it. People may conform even if they don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes.
“Identification leads to a permanent change of opinion or behaviour”
True or False?
FALSE
What is compliance?
A temporary type of conformity where people outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it.
With compliance, does the change persist in the presence of the group/majority?
The change in behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring the person
When the group/majority is not present what occurs with compliance?
When the group/majority is not present the particular behaviour/opinion ceases to exist
Which of these are example of either internalisation, identification or compliance?
- Accepting what people say about environmental issues and becoming enthusiastic about recycling for the rest of your life
- Some friends at college are all Everton supporters. When they ask who you support you say ‘Everton’ even though you’re a Liverpool supporter
- Going off to university and completely changing the way you dress and behave so you can make friends with a group of Goths.
1 - Internalisation
2 - Compliance
3 - Identification
Who are the psychologists who developed a two process theory to explain conformity?
Morton Deutsch and Harold Gerard
What was the two process theory developed by Deutsch and Gerard about?
The two process theory stated there are two main reasons people conform. They were based on two central human needs: the need to be right, informational social influence (ISI) and the need to be liked, normative social influence (NSI)
What is informational social influence?
Informational social influence is about who has better information - you or the rest of the group.
Why does informational social influence occur?
People are often unsure about what is right or wrong. Individuals follow the behaviour of the group because people want to be right.
What type of process is involved informational social influence (ISI)?
Informational social influence is a cognitive process, meaning it involves your thought process
When does informational social influence occur, what types of situations?
Informational social influence mostly occurs in:
1. new situations
- situations where there is some ambiguity, where the right answer is not clear
- crisis situations where decisions have to be made quickly
- when one person (or group) is regarded as more of an expert
What is normative social influence?
Normative social influence is about norms, for example what is considered the norm or typical behaviour for a social group
Why does normative social influence occur?
Normative social influence occurs because people do not like to appear foolish and prefer gaining social approval rather than rejection
What type of process is involved in normative social influence (NSI)?
Normative social influence is an emotional rather than a cognitive process
When does normative social influence occur, what types of situations?
Normative social influence occurs in
1. situations with strangers where people may feel concerned about rejection.
- situations where people try to seek social approval from their friends
- stressful situations
It is Oliver’s and Lola’s first day at college and they are keen to make a good impression. Oliver pretends to be interested in the other students’ conversations even though he really finds them boring. Lol watches other students very carefully because she wants to complete her work just like they do, to avoid making any mistakes.
- Whose behaviour is being influenced by informational social influence, Oliver’s or Lola’s?
- Whose is being influenced by normative social influence?
Explain both answers
Oliver is being influenced by normative social influence. She is trying to fit into conversation with other people because she sees it as normal, despite being uninterested.
Lola is being influenced by informational social influence. She is completing her work according to her students presuming the students know better than her or understand it better than her.
How many evaluation points are there for the types of conformity and explanations?
There are three evaluation points
What is a strength of the informational social influence explanation for conformity? (supporting research)
There is supporting research provided by Lucas et al. In his study he asked students to give answers to mathematical problems, with questions varying in difficulty. Lucas et al found greater conformity to incorrect answers when they were difficult rather than when they were easier ones. This proved true amongst students who had rated their mathematical ability as poor. This study shows people conform in situations where they feel like they do not know the answer, which links to the informational social influence explanation
What is a weakness of normative social influence explanation for conformity? (individual differences)
Some research has shown that normative social influence does not affect everyone’s behaviour the same way. People who are less concerned with being liked are less affected by normative social influence. For example McGhee and Teevan (1967) found that students high in need of affiliation were more likely to conform. This proves that the desire to be liked underlies conformity for some people more than others. Therefore there are individual differences in the way people respond
What is the phrase used to describe people who have a need for association?
People who have a need for association are known as “nAffiliators”
What is a weakness of informative social influence and normative social influence? ( ISI and NSI work together)
Deutsch and Gerrard state that behaviour is either due to normative social influence or informational social influence. However in reality both processes are involved. For example conformity is reduced when there is one other dissenting participant in the Asch experiment. This dissenter may reduce the power of ISI. This shows that it isnt always possible to be sure whether NSI or ISI is at work, casting doubt over the view of ISI and SI as two processes instead of one
