Types and explanations of conformity Flashcards
What is conformity?
It is a form of social influence that results from exposure of the majority position and leads to compliance with that position. It is the tendency to adopt the behaviour, attitudes and values of other members of a reference group.
What is compliance?
Individuals go along with a group to gain approval and adjust their behaviour to fit in with them. It does not result in any change of their personal/private thoughts, only in their actions in public
What is internalisation?
Individuals may go along with a group of an acceptance of their views. When someone is exposed to someone else’s views, they examine their own beliefs to see if they or the other person is right. Can change their attitude privately and publicly.
What is identification?
Individuals might accept influence because they want to be associated with a person/group. By adopting their attitudes they feel more apart of it. Has elements of both compliance and internalisation as they accept the behaviour because they think it is right, but the purpose was to fit in.
What is normative social influence?
Humans have a need to feel accepted and causes us to want to gain approval and acceptance. For this to occur, the individual has feel like they are under surveillance. People tend to conform in public but don’t internalise in private. - compliance
What is informational social influence?
Humans feel the need to be right, and occurs when an individual accepts information from others. Is more likely to occur in an ambiguous situation or where others are experts. It involves changing their public and private behaviour. - internalisation
