Social Influence L1 - Types of Conformity Flashcards
What is conformity
It’s a form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position (most people) and leads to compliance with that position
Formal definition - A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people
Who argued the 3 types of conformity
Kelman (1958)
What are the 3 types of conformity
Compliance, Internalisation, Identification
Compliance
When individuals adjust/change their behaviour, views and attitudes in public so they are in line with the majority
There is no change to privately held views behaviour and attitudes
Conformity only lasts while the group is present - superficial and temporary form of conformity
Internalisation
When individuals change/adjust their behaviour, views and attitudes in public so they are in line with the majority
The individual examines their behaviour, views and attitudes based on what others are saying and decide the majority is correct
Leads them to accept the group’s point of view publicly and privately - deeper and more permanent form of conformity
Identification
A moderate type of conformity - when an individual conforms to the group as there is something about the group we value
We identify with the group as we feel similar to the group & therefore change our views to be part of it
We also identify with people we admire and may look up to
May agree publicly but disagree privately
Compliance example
A student pretending they are finding other students conversations interesting even though they find them very boring
Internalisation example
Watching closely how someone else dresses then eventually dressing like them as we agree with and value their dress sense and behaviour
Identification example
Becoming a vegetarian as all your friends are and you like the food but you still like meat and may eat it privately
