Social learning : types and explanations of conformity Flashcards
Who suggested that there are 3 ways in which people conform?
Herbert Kelman
What are the 3 ways in which people conform?
- Internalisation
- Identification
- Compliance
Define internalisation
A type of conformity where we go along with the majority view because we think it is correct.
It results in both a public and a private change of opinions/behaviour which is permanent as the opinion becomes internalised.
Define identification
A type of conformity where we act in the same way as a group because we value it and want to be a part of it.
This may mean we publicly change our behaviour to be accepted by the group but we don’t necessarily agree with everything they believe.
Define compliance
A type of conformity where we publicly go along with the majority view, but privately we disagree with it.
Compliance is only temporary and the change in behaviour only lasts as long as the group is present.
Who developed a two-process theory, arguing that there are 2 main reasons as to why people conform?
Deutsch and Gerard (1955)
What 2 central human needs are the main reasons why people conform based on?
The need to be right (ISI)
The need to be liked (NSI)
What is meant by Informational social influence (ISI)?
- Conforming because we believe the majority must be correct and we want to be correct too.
- ISI is a cognitive process because it is to do with the way you think.
- ISI leads to internalisation.
- ISI usually occurs in unfamiliar/ambiguous situations where we are unsure of what is right.
What is meant by Normative social influence (NSI)?
- Conforming because we want to be liked and gain social approval from others.
- NSI involves adapting to fit in with the norms of a group.
- It leads to compliance.
- NSI usually occurs in situations with new people or with friends.
What is a strength of NSI?
There is evidence that supports NSI as an explanation of conformity.
For example…
- when Asch interviewed his P.s, some said that they conformed because they felt self-conscious giving a different answer to others and wanted social approval.
- when P.s wrote down their answers privately, conformity decreased to 12.5% as there was no longer any group pressure.
This means that…
- conformity can happen as a result of wanting approval and trying to fit in with others.
What is a strength of ISI?
There is evidence which supports ISI as an explanation of conformity.
For example…
- Lucas et al. gave P.s ‘easy’ and ‘hard’ maths problems.
- He found that people conformed more often to incorrect answers when the problems were more difficult (where the answers were less clear).
- P.s didn’t want to be incorrect so conformed to the answers given.
This means that…
- conformity could be due to the desire to be right.
What is a limitation of the two-process theory proposed by Deutsch and Gerard?
NSI and ISI both ignore individual factors which may affect conformity.
For example…
- Some people are more concerned than others are about being liked - McGhee and Teevan found that students who were nAffiliaters (people with a greater need for social relationships) were more likely to conform.
Furthermore…
- In Lucas et al.’s study, those who conformed the most were the P.s who were less confident in their maths skills.
This means that…
- there are individual factors which can impact conformity which cannot be fully explained by Deutsch and Gerard’s two-process theory as to why people conform.
Plan an answer to:
“Describe and evaluate the types of explanations of conformity” (16 marks)
A01:
- Types of conformity: Herbert Kelman, Internalisation, Identification, Compliance
- Explanations for conformity: Deutsch and Gerard’s two-process theory, based to 2 human needs (need to be right, need to be liked), Informational social influence, Normative social influence
A03:
Strength: There is evidence to support NSI as an explanation for conformity
- Asch’s P.s were interviewed + some said they conformed because they felt self-conscious + wanted social approval
- when P.s wrote answers privately, conformity decreased to 12.5%
Strength: There is evidence to support ISI as an explanation for conformity
- Lucas et al. - maths problems
- people conformed more when questions were harder
Limitation: NSI and ISI both ignore individual factors which may affect conformity
- McGhee + Teevan - nAffiliators
- Lucas et al. - those who conformed more were the ones less confident in their maths skills
