Lesson 2: Explanations of conformity

Question 1

What two psychologists developed a theory to explain why people conform?

Answer 1

Deustch and Gerrard (1955)

Question 2

How many reasons of conformity did Deustch and Gerrard (1955) suggest there were? (State both)

Answer 2

TWO:

1. Normative social influence
   2.Informational social influence

Question 3

What is normative social influence? and why is it done?

Answer 3

Where a person conforms in order to be ACCEPTED and BELONG to a group.

->They do this because it is socially rewarding and/or to avoid social rejection (e.g. ridicule for not ‘fitting in’).

Question 4

What is informational social influence?

Answer 4

The tendency of conforming to the majority as we perceive them as an ACCURATE source of INFORMATION , in an ambiguous or uncertain situation

Question 5

What type of conformity does normative social influence lead to?

Answer 5

Compliance

Question 6

What type of conformity does informational social influence lead to?

Answer 6

Internalisation

Question 7

State a positive evaluation of Normative social influence
(hint: Asch line)

Answer 7

+ Asch asked participants to state which three ‘test lines’ was the same as the ‘standard line’.
Participants were in a group of confederates who PURPOSEFULLY gave the wrong answer, even though correct answer was OBVIOUS

In 33% of the trials the participants conformed to the group (despite the chance of making a genuine mistake being 1%)

Participants conformed due to normative social influence
Participants claimed they knew the right answer but were worried that the majority would ridicule them if they answered differently