Social Influence - Types and Explanations Flashcards
What is conformity?
A change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or group of people.
What is internalisation?
A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when the group is absent.
What is identification?
A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes.
What is compliance?
A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.
What is informational social influence (ISI)?
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accept it because we want to be correct as well. This may lead to internalisation.
What is normative social influence (NSI)?
An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval, and be liked. This may lead to compliance.
What are the three types of conformity?
The three types of conformity, identified by Herbert Kelman (1958), are internalisation, identification, and compliance.
How does internalisation work as a type of conformity?
Internalisation occurs when a person genuinely accepts the group norms, resulting in a private as well as public change of opinions and behaviour. This change is likely to be permanent because attitudes have been internalised.
What is the basis for identification as a type of conformity?
Identification occurs when we conform to the opinions or behaviours of a group because we value something about that group and want to be part of it. However, we may not necessarily agree with everything the group stands for.
How does compliance differ from other types of conformity?
Compliance involves simply ‘going along with others’ in public but privately not changing personal opinions or behaviour. It is a superficial change that stops as soon as group pressure subsides.
What did Deutsch and Gerard (1955) propose about explanations for conformity?
Deutsch and Gerard (1955) argued that there are two central human needs: the need to be right (ISI) and the need to be liked (NSI).
What is one evaluation point for ISI?
Research by Lucas et al. (2006) found that students were more likely to conform to incorrect answers when they were difficult rather than when they were easier. This was especially true for students who rated their mathematical ability as poor.
What is one evaluation point for NSI?
Research shows that NSI does not affect everyone’s behaviour in the same way. For example, people who are less concerned about being liked are less affected by NSI. McGhee and Teevan (1967) found that students high in need of affiliation were more likely to conform.
How do ISI and NSI work together?
ISI and NSI often work together rather than independently. For example, in Asch’s experiment, a dissenter could reduce conformity by providing either social support (NSI) or an alternative source of information (ISI).
What is a limitation of ISI and NSI as explanations for conformity?
It isn’t always possible to determine whether ISI or NSI is at work, as often both processes are involved. This casts doubt on the idea that ISI and NSI operate independently in explaining conformity.
