Lesson 2: Explanations for Conformity

Question 1

What is ISI?

Answer 1

When you defer to the judgement of people who you think have more knowledge of the topic than you

Question 2

What is normative social influence?

Answer 2

Influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval

Question 3

What type of conformity does ISI usually lead to?

Answer 3

Internalisation

Question 4

What type of conformity does NSI usually lead to?

Answer 4

Compliance

Question 5

Strengths of the explanations of conformity

Answer 5

Research support Lucas et al (2006) for ISI
- found that conformity occurred frequently to more difficult questions as they were more ambiguous

Asch (1951) for NSI
- pps went along with clearly wrong answers because other people did
- therefore they feared rejection but conformed due to NSI

Question 6

Weaknesses of the explanations of conformity

Answer 6

Many studies supporting ISI and NSI are lab studies which lack ecological validity
- lead to demand characteristics
- e.g. Asch study asked to compare lines; unrealistic

McGhee and Tevan (1967)
- nAffiliators are more likely to conform