Explanations for Conformity Flashcards
Who developed reasons why we conform
Deutsch and Gerrard developed a theory to explain why people conform. They proposed there are only 2 reasons why people conform
NSI AND ISI
What is normative social influence (NSI)
People have the fundamental need for social approval and acceptance. We therefore avoid any behaviour that will make others reject or ridicule us. This can lead us to copy the behaviours of others in order to fit in. Studies have shown that people like those who are similar to them and so conformity can be an effective strategy to ensure we fit into a group. NSI is likely to lead to compliance, where people change their public opinions and behaviours but not their private ones
What is informational social influence (ISI)?
People have a fundamental need to be right and to have an accurate perception of reality. Individuals will make objective tests against reality, but if this is not possible, they will rely on the opinions of others to check if they are correct and use this as evidence about reality. ISI is more likely to happen if the situation is ambiguous or when there are other experts. ISI leads to internalisation where people change their opinion, behaviour and stuff publicslly and privately
How do does asch support reasons for conformity?
Asch asked participants to answer which three test lines were the same as the ‘standard line’. The participants were in a group of confeds who purposefully gave the same wrong answer, even though the right answer was obvious. In 33% of trials, the participants conformed and gave the wrong answer. The chance of getting this wrong was less than 1%. Participants confirmed due to NSI. After experiment they claimed they knew the right answer, but were worried that the group would ridicule them if they answered differently
How does Jenesse support?
Asked 101 participants to estimate no. Of beans in a jar. Each participant was to estimate by themselves first. They then estimate in a group of 3. After the group discussion they could estimate individually again. He found that when carried out in a group, participants reports were roughly the same value, contrasting sometimes hella to their individual estimates. This is ISI likely as participants would be uncertain of thr no, of beans and would be genuinely influenced by the group
How does sherif back ISI
Sherif (1935) used the autokinetic effect to investigate conformity. This is where a small spot of light (projected onto a screen) in a dark room will appear to move, even though it is still (i.e. it is a visual illusion). It was discovered that when participants were tested individually their estimates of how far the light actually moved varied considerably (e.g. from 20cm to 80cm). The participants were then tested in groups of three. Sherif manipulated the composition of the group by putting together two people whose estimate of the light movement when alone was very similar, and one person whose estimate was very different. Each person in the group had to say aloud how far they thought the light had moved. Sherif found that over numerous estimates of the movement of light, the group converged to a common estimate. The person whose estimate of movement was greatly different to the other two in the group conformed to the view of the other two because of informational social influence. The task was ambiguous so they looked to others for the answer.
Is there a third explanation for conformity?
Ingratiational conformity - similar to NSI, but group influence does not enter into the decision to conform. It is instead it is motivated by the need to impress or gain favour, rather than fear of rejection.
Will disposition affect conformity
Disposition will also affect whether someone conforms - those with internal locus of control are less likely to conform than those with external. NSI and ISI can’t explain this.
