Types And Explanations Of Conformity

Question 1

Define conformity (2 marks)

Answer 1

• changes in inidividuals’ behaviours and/or beliefs because of real or imagined group pressure

Question 2

Define compliance ( 3 marks )

Answer 2

• most superficial, least permanent type of conformity
• change in beliefs and behaviours in public but revert back in private
• may not agree with what the group is doing
• linked to NSI

Question 3

Define identification (3 marks)

Answer 3

• stronger type of conformity
• individual sees membership of group as desirable as seen as role models
• look to group for guidance
• people revert back when membership is no longer valuable

Question 4

Define internalisation (3 marks)

Answer 4

• deepest and most permanent type of conformity
• change beliefs and behaviours in public and private
• linked to ISI

Question 5

Define NSI ( 3 marks)

Answer 5

• driven by the desire to be liked
• go along with a group to ‘fit in’ and be accepted and avoid ridicule
• emotional process
• leads to compliance

Question 6

Define ISI (3 marks )

Answer 6

• driven by the desire to be right
• when we are unsure about something (lack knowledge) we conform by seeking information from group and assume they are correct
• cognitive process
• leads to internalisation

Question 7

R2S ISI (4 marks)

Answer 7

P- conducted by Jenness
E- Ppts asked to estimate number of jelly beans in a jar individually, then in a group and then individually again
E- found ppts 2nd individual guess was closer to group’s estimate than their own original estimate
L- supports ISI as an explanation of conformity as ppts were unsure and sought info from the group and changed their answer to be in line with the group

Question 8

Counter argument - ISI (4 marks )

Answer 8

P- lacks ecological validity
E- research took place in an artificial environment (lab)
E- difficult to generalise findings to real life examples of ISI as in real life, people may be less likely to conform to a group as there may be consequences for their actions, unlike in an artificial lab setting
L- thus, further reducing the external validity of research into ISI and questioning ISI as an explanation of conformity

Question 9

R2S - NSI ( 4 marks )

Answer 9

P- conducted by Asch
E- placed ppts with 7-9 confeds and asked them to state which line (A.B or C) was the same length as standard line ‘X’. Ppts last to answer.
E- found ppts conformed and said same wrong answer as confeds 37% of the time
L- supporting NSI as an EOC as they said they knew the answer but conformed to be liked

Question 10

Counter Argument - NSI ( 4 marks )

Answer 10

P- gender bias
E- only used male participants
E- difficult to generalise findings to females as they may be more likely to conform to be liked
L- does not fully support NSI as an EOC