Social Influence -> Explanations For Conformity Flashcards
1
Q
Normative Social Influence (NSI)
A
- Need for social approval and acceptance & avoid any behaviour that will make others reject or ridicule us
- Copy the behaviour of others in order to ‘fit in’.
- Leads to compliance.
2
Q
Informational Social Influence (ISI)
A
- Need to be right/correct.
- Rely on the opinions of others if unsure.
- More likely to happen if the situation is ambiguous or when others are experts.
- Leads to internalisation.
3
Q
Strength of explanations for conformity
A
- Jenness asked participants to estimate how many beans were in a jar
- Individual estimate, then as a group.
- Example of ISI as participants would be uncertain & so be influenced by the group.
4
Q
Weaknesses of explanations for conformity
A
- Third explanation for conformity, known as ingratiation conformity
- Motivated by the need to impress or gain favour, rather than the fear of rejection
- Dispositional factors eg internal locus of control are less likely to conform than external locus.
5
Q
Asch (1951)
A
Procedure:
- Line test
- Confederates gave incorrect answers
- Participant was last to answer
Findings:
- Wrong answer 37% of the time.
- 75% conformed at least once.
- Normative social influence.
6
Q
Group Size
A
- One confederate had a conformity rate of 3%.
- Three confederates conformity rose to 32%.
- Little change to conformity once groups have reached four or more confederates
7
Q
Task Difficulty
A
- Similar length, conformity levels increased.
- Answer was obvious, conformity levels decreased.
- Informational social influence.
8
Q
Unanimity
A
- Majority were unanimous, conformity levels increase.
- When one other person in the group gave a different answer, conformity dropped.
- Reduced conformity from 37% to 5%.
9
Q
Weaknesses of Asch (1951)
A
- Temporal validity
- Post-war attitudes
- Gender biased
- Culturally biased
- Laboratory
- Demand characteristics
