Lesson 2- explanations for conformity

Question 1

explanations

Answer 1

Deutsch and Gerrard (1955), theory that proposed only two reasons why people conformed

Question 2

normative social influence

Answer 2

-fundamental need for social approval and acceptance
-avoid any behaviour that will make others reject or ridicule us
-can lead to copying the behaviour of others to fit in
-studies show that people like those who are similar to them and so conformity can be an effective strategy to ensure we fit in with a group
-likely to lead to compliance

Question 3

informational social influence

Answer 3

-fundamental need to be right and have an accurate perception of reality
-may make objective tests against reality, but if not possible they will rely on the opinions of others to check if they are correct and use as evidence about reality
-more likely to happen if the situation is ambiguous or when others are experts
-leads to internalisation

Question 4

evaluation

Answer 4

-Asch (1951) asked participants to say which of three test lines was the same as the standard line, the participants were in a group with confederates who purposefully gave the same wrong answer, even though the correct answer was obvious, in 33% of trials participants conformed to the group and gave the wrong answer, the chance of making a genuine mistake was 1%, after the experiment they claimed that they knew the correct answer but worried the group would ridicule them if they answered differently
-Jenness (1932) asked participants to estimate how many beans they thought were in a jar, each participant had to make an individual estimate first and then do the same as a group, he found that when the task was carried out in a group the participants would report estimates of roughly the same value despite estimating quite differently previously
-Sherif (1935) used the auto kinetic effect to investigate conformity, where a small spot of light in a dark room will appear to move even though it is still, when tested individually the estimates of how far the light moved varied from 20cm-80cm, then tested in groups of 3, manipulated composition by putting two similar estimates with one very different, each person had to say estimate aloud, over numerous estimates group converged to common estimate, persons whose estimate was different conformed to the views of the other two
-McLead (2007) suggested third explanation, ingratiational conformity, group influence does not affect decision, instead motivated by need to impress of gain favour rather than fear of rejection
-dispositional factors