Situational/individual factors

Question 1

What are the situational factors?

Answer 1

Group size
Group unanimity
Task difficulty

Question 2

What’s a study for group size and explain it

Answer 2

Asch - the addition of more confederates only made a slight difference (1 = almost no conformity, 2 = 12.8%, 3 = 33.3%) - max conformity seen between groups of 3-5,

Question 3

What’s a study for group unanimity and explain

Answer 3

Allen & Levine (1968) - they introduced a dissenting (disagreeing confederate with thick glasses to show they were visually impaired) - dissenter made the conformity rates drop from 97% to 64%

Question 4

Reason for task difficulty and explain

Answer 4

Informational social influence - lines were made made more similar in length it was harder to judge the correct answer.

Question 5

Definition of group size

Answer 5

The size of the group around them affects wether or not people conform, max conformity seen within groups between 3-5

Question 6

Definition of task difficulty

Answer 6

When the lines were made more similar in length it made it harder to tell the correct answer meaning because of informational influence people would conform to be correct.

Question 7

Definition of group unanimity

Answer 7

As conformity drops off with 5 members or more it may be that unanimity of the group matters but at a certain point it gets suspicious (when individuals in the group all agree with each other)

Question 8

Name The individual factors

Answer 8

Self esteem
Gender

Question 9

Study for gender and explain

Answer 9

Mori and Arai 2010 said gender differences in conformity, with women tending to conform more then men, eagly 1987 suggested that this is because women tend to take a communal role and promote harmony in the group while men are more comfortable maintaining independence (out of date)

Question 10

Study for self esteem and explain

Answer 10

Santee and Mastach 1982 - some people have a greater need to be liked therefore are more likely to conform

Question 11

Definition of gender in relation to this

Answer 11

Gender differences in conformity with women tending to conform more then men because women want to keep the peace and men are willing to be independent.

Question 12

Definition of self esteem relating to this

Answer 12

Certain personality characteristics link to conformity levels - people use conformity to integrate themselves with others.

Question 13

What are the cultural factors/types of cultures?

Answer 13

Collective cultures
Individualist cultures

Question 14

Example of a collectivist culture

Answer 14

Central America
East Asian countries

Question 15

Example of an individualist culture

Answer 15

Western Europe
Uk
USA

Question 16

How does collectivist cultures impact conformity

Answer 16

People are encouraged to consider how their behaviour impacts on the wider family group (as they have larger family groups) and society - consequently failure to conform can be seen as deviant therefore individuals may conform to norms most of the time.

Question 17

Do individualist or Collectivist cultures conform more?

Answer 17

Collectivist cultures

Question 18

How does individualist cultures impact conformity

Answer 18

People from individualist countries are encouraged to be self-sufficient and independent which makes them less likely to conform. They often prioritise the needs of the individual over society, while families also are smaller (mainly just mum dad sibling). Non conformity is often celebrated and considered an admirable trait.

Question 19

What is the Smith and Bond 1993 study

Answer 19

Smith and Bond (1993) reviewed conformity research from around the world and found that Belgians have the lowest levels of conformity (individualist), and Fijians have the highest (collectivist)

Question 20

What is the Markus 1999 study

Answer 20

Markus (1999) looked at Korean and American magazine ads. Thy were analysed with a focus on themes of conformity and group harmony. On the other hand European, Americans preferred ads that represented uniqueness and creative self-expression. Whereas media within individualistic cultures often encourage self-expression, uniqueness and individuality. This can be contrasted with media in collectivist cultures where group harmony and conformity are valued
The results highlighted the relationship between cultural norms and the extent to which individuals are encouraged to conform to social norms.