SOCIAL INFLUENCE Types And Explanations Of Conformity

Question 1

What does it mean to conform?

Answer 1

Changing ones behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group

Question 2

What are the 3 types of conformity

Answer 2

Compliance
Identification
Internalisation

Question 3

What does compliance mean ?

Answer 3

A superficial and temporary type of conformity…. “Going along” with others in public, no private change in opinions and behaviour

Question 4

What does identification mean?

Answer 4

A moderate type of conformity - person values the group and wants to be a part of it - public change in opinions and behaviours to fit in

Question 5

What does internalisation mean?

Answer 5

A deep types of conformity - person genuinely accepts the groups norms - private and public change to opinions, change likely to be permanent

Question 6

Explanations for conformity

Answer 6

Deutsch and Gerrard - two process model demonstrating why people conform

1. Normative social influence
2. Informational social influence

Question 7

Explain normative social influence

Answer 7

the need to be liked - agree with opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted

May lead to compliance
Emotional process
Most likely to happen in situations with strangers as we fear rejection

Question 8

Explain informational social influence

Answer 8

The need to be right - agree with opinion of majority because we believe it is correct

May lead to internalisation
Cognitive process - to do with what you think
Most likely to happen in new situations

Question 9

A03

Research support for normative social influence

Answer 9

Asch - when asked why Ps said they went along with incorrect answers because they felt conscious giving the correct answer and were afraid of disapproval… when study repeated wrote down answers instead and conformity rates fell

Counter - results may lack ecological validity - possible effect of demand characteristics - Ps all knew part of experiment and may have “gone along” with it

TMB - Asch’s findings support NSI explanation that people conform to gain social approval however may not be able to generalise findings to everyday situations

Question 10

A03

Does not affect everyone’s behaviour in same way

Answer 10

Mcghee and Teevan - found students with high need to be more liked were more likely to conform

I&D - NSI takes nomothetic approach by attempting to make general laws of behaviour whereas individual differences suggest idiographic approach

TMB - desire to be liked underlies conformity for some people more than others

Question 11

A03

Does not affect everyone’s have our in the same way

Answer 11

Asch - found that students were less conformist than other participants

I&D - nomothetic approach by attempting to make general laws of human behaviour

TMB - desire to be right underlies conformity for some people but not others