Paper 1/ Part 1 (4 topics but split it in two)

Question 1

Definition of conformity

Answer 1

When a person changes their behaviour based on real or imagined pressure from the group of people.

Question 2

Types of conformity :

Answer 2

Internalisation, identification and compliance

Question 3

Internalisation

Answer 3

When an individual conforms to the majority when they think that they are correct. It is the strongest form of conformity.

Question 4

Identification

Answer 4

We conform to the majority to make ourselves feel a part of the group but we are not necessarily agreeing with the majority. Moderate form of conformity.

Question 5

Compliance

Answer 5

We go along with the group publicly but we disagree privately. Shallowest form of conformity as it is only temporary.

Question 6

Two explanations of conformity

Answer 6

Informational Social Influence + Normative Social Influence

Question 7

Informational Social Influence

Answer 7

We conform to the majority as we believe the majority has the correct information. Can lead to internalisation.

Question 8

Normative Social Influence

Answer 8

We agree with the norms of the majority to make ourselves feel accepted to the group, gain social approval and be liked. Linked to compliance.

Question 9

Asch’s Conformity Task (1951) et al.

Answer 9

Aim: To investigate the extent to which the majority to which social pressure can affect a person’s ability to conform.
Sample- 50 male students (androcentrism) who were from Swarthmore College in the USA.
The experiment was supposedly to be a ‘vision test’ (Deception) .

Question 10

Procedure:

Answer 10

Using a line judgement task, Asch has participants who were considered to be naïve and placed in a room with seven other ‘participants’. They were ‘confederates’ and purposely gave the wrong answer. The real participant did not know this and thought they were real participants.

Question 11

A chart was on the board with a target line and three other lines.

Answer 11

The people in the room were expected to state the line they think is the correct (but obvious!) answer. The real participant was the second last person to state their answer.

Question 12

Experimental Information

Answer 12

In the beginning - all participants gave the right answer. A few rounds later, the confederates changed their answer (wrong answer). Altogether, there was 18 trials and on the 12 trials, confederates gave the wrong answer. Asch wanted to investigate if the actual participant conformed or not.
Control group - no confederates but a ‘real participant’

Question 13

Findings

Answer 13

One third (32 percent) conformed to the majority.
3/4 (75%) conformed at least once in the 12 clinical trials
25% never conformed
Control group- no access to confederates so less than 1% gave the wrong answer.