social influence: types and explanations of conformity Flashcards
define conformity
A change in a persons behaviour or opinions
as a result of a real or imagined pressure
from a person or group of people
state the 3 types of conformity
(Kelman):
* internalisation
* identification
* compliance
define compliance
Going along with others’ in public but privately not changing personal opinions or behaviour. This is a superficial change which will stop as soon as group pressure stops (temporary)
define identification
Conforming to the opinions and behaviours of a group because we value something about that group.
We identify with the group or a role model. This means we publicly change our behaviour to fit in even if we do not privately agree with everything the group stands for
define internalisation
Occur when a person genuinely accepts the groups norms. This results in a private and public change of opinions and behaviour. This change is permanent because attitudes have been internalised. This change in opinion and behaviour persists even in the absence of other group
members.
what do ISI and NSI stand for
inofrmation social influence
normative social influence
outline ISI
Our desire to be right. We use social comparison, looking to other people for guidance when we are unsure about how to behave.
usually occurs in an unfamiliar situation i.e. its new or there is an element of ambiguity. It also occurs in situations where decisions have
to be made quickly
outline NSI
Our desire to be liked. Human beings have a strong fear of being rejected, making it difficult for them to go against the majority
It is most likely to occur in a situation with strangers where you feel concerned about rejection. However, it may also occur around friends as we are most concerned about the social approval of our friends
what kind of processes are ISI and NSI
ISI: cognitive process as it is to do with what we think
NSI: emotional
what kind of conformity do ISI and NSI lead to
ISI: internalisation > permanent change in opinion and behaviour
NSI: compliance > temporary change in opinions and behaviour
AO3: research to support ISI
There is research to support ISI.
Lucas et al (2006) asked students to give answers to mathematic problems that were either easy or difficult. There was greater conformity to incorrect mathematical problems when the question was difficult
STRENGTH as it supports the idea that people conform in situations they do not know the answer. Which ISI suggests we look to other people and assume they know better than us and must be right
AO3: research to support NSI
There is research to support for NSI
Asch found that many of the participants in his lab study went along with the wrong answer just because other people did. So he asked them why they did this. Some of his participants said they felt self-conscious giving the correct answer and were afraid of disapproval. When Asch conducted his follow up study, he asked the participants to write down their answers and found that conformity dropped to a mere 12.5%
STRENGTH as it supports NSI as it shows people conform as they are scared of rejection. When answers are given anonymously people feel they are able to answer how they choose without being influenced by the fear of rejection
AO3: individual differences
NSI does not affect everyone’s behaviour in the same way
McGhee and Teevan (1967) found that students high in need of affiliation were more likely to conform. Affiliation is the need for being in a relationship/ connecting with others This therefore indicates that NSI does not affect everyone’s behaviour in the same way, i.e. people who care less about being liked are less likely to conform.
WEAKNESS of the explanations for conformity as it is not a complete explanation, there must be other processes at work that effect conformity levels.
