Social Influence - Conformity: Types & Explanations

Question 1

What did Kelman (1958) suggest 3 ways in which people conform to the opinion of the majority?

Answer 1

1) Compliance
2) Identification
3) Internalisation

Question 2

What is internalisation?

Answer 2

Internalisation involves a private and public change in behaviour and beliefs in response to majority influence.

Question 3

What is Identification?

Answer 3

The individual publicly and privately values the behaviours of the group and will change their behaviours and beliefs to be seen as like the group. However, when not part of the group anymore the individual’s beliefs and behaviours may change so the identification is not always permanent.

Question 4

What is compliance?

Answer 4

Where an individual changes their public,. but not private, behaviours or beliefs to match those of a group

Question 5

Rank the 3 types of conformity from most superficial to deepest.

Answer 5

1) Compliance
2) Identification
3) Internalisation

Question 6

Name two reasons Deutch and Gerard (1955) came up with for why people conform.

Answer 6

Normative social influence (NSI)
Informational social influence (ISI)

Question 7

According to NSI why do people conform

Answer 7

The need to be liked
When the individual wants to appear normal and be one of the majority.

Question 8

According to ISI why do people conform

Answer 8

The need to be right
The individuals look to the majority as guidance to behave when certain behaviours are uncertain, assuming they have more knowledge.

Question 9

what does informational social influence lead to?

Answer 9

Informational social influence leads to real, long-lasting changes in beliefs.
(Internalisation)

Question 10

what does normative social influence lead to?

Answer 10

Normative social influence leads to a public change in beliefs , but a private disagreement.
(Compliance)

Question 11

EV: Research support for ISI

Answer 11

P: There is research support for ISI
E: Lucas et al. (2006) asked students to give answers to mathematical problems that were easy or more difficult and found higher levels of conformity when the questions were more difficult,
E: This study shows that people conform in situations where they are uncertain and assume others have more knowledge.
L: Which is exactly the outcome predicted by ISI, therefore supporting it as an explanation of conformity

Question 12

EV: Research support for NSI

Answer 12

P: Asch’s research into conformity supports NSI
E: Despite the correct answer being unambiguous, 75% of participants conformed at least once.
E: Asch then interviewed participants to find out why they conformed and most of them said they conformed to fit in despite knowing the answer.
L: Which is the outcome predicted by NSI, therefore supporting it as an explanation of conformity

Question 13

EV: Research against NSI and ISI

Answer 13

P: Both explanations cannot explain why some people resist conformity
E: As there are individuals that are less concerned with being liked (nAffiliators).
E:Therefore individual differences in how people respond and resist conformity
L: Therefore not supporting NSI and ISI as an explanation for conformity