Conformity: Types & Explanations

Question 1

What are the three types of conformity?

Answer 1

Internalisation
Identification
Compliance

Question 2

What is internalisation?

Answer 2

Genuine acceptance of group norms - permanent, both internal and external change in behaviour

Question 3

What is identification?

Answer 3

Confirming with a groups view bc we identify with them - temporary, only lasts while in the presence of the group

Question 4

What is compliance?

Answer 4

Superficial conformity - acceptance of a majority view publicly but reverting to your own views on private

Question 5

What are the two explanations for conformity?

Answer 5

Informational Social Influence

Normative Social Influence

Question 6

What is ISI and when is it most prevalent?

Answer 6

This is when we conform to a majority view bc we believe it to be right and we want to be right ourselves. This often occurs in new situations or situations with an expert.

Question 7

What is NSI and when is it most prevalent?

Answer 7

This is when we conform to a majority view bc we identify with a group and we want to be liked and accepted by that group. This occurs often in unfamiliar situations, high pressure situations and when with a group you want to be liked by.

Question 8

What is the research support for ISI?

Answer 8

Lucas et al in 2006
Students asked to answer maths questions of varying difficulties - conformity was higher for harder questions where students were unsure on the answer - need to be right.

Question 9

What slightly undermines the idea of NSI?

Answer 9

Individual differences - different people feel the need to be liked and approved of more than others.

Question 10

What are the evaluation points for the types and explanations of conformity?

Answer 10

+ ISI research support - Lucas et al 2006
+ NSI research support - Asch line study 1951
- Two process model of explaining conformity may be overly simplistic
- ISI doesn’t account for individual differences