Explanations for conformity

Question 1

What is Informational Social Influence?

Answer 1

• An explanation of conformity that says individuals agree with the opinion of the majority because they believe it as correct.
• They accept the opinion because they want to be correct.

Question 2

What type of Conformity can ISI lead to?

Answer 2

• Internalization.

Question 3

What is Normative Social Influence?

Answer 3

• An explanation of conformity that says individuals agree with the opinion of the majority because they want to be accepted and gain social approval.

Question 4

What type of Conformity can NSI lead to?

Answer 4

• Compliance

Question 5

When does ISI usually occur?

Answer 5

• New situation
• Quick decision making
• Where a person in a group is considered an ‘expert’.

Question 6

When does NSI usually occur?

Answer 6

• Seek approval
• Stressful situation and are in need of greater Social Support

Question 7

Explain a positive evaluative point of NSI.

Answer 7

• Participants were interviewed after Asch’s study and stated that they conformed to avoid rejection. This suggest that NSI is a valid explanation.
• When participants wrote down there answer, conformity fell to 12.5%. This increases the validity of NSI as an explanation to conformity.

Question 8

Explain a negative evaluative point of NSI.