types of and explanations for conformity 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 ( elliot aronson 2011)
what are the 3 types of conformity ?
compliance,identification,internalisation
define compliance (1)
- 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
define identification
- a moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be part of it . but we don’t necessarily agree with everything the group / majority believes in
define internalisation
- a deep type of conformity where we take 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 did Herbert Kelman (1958) suggest that people do ?
- there are 3 ways in which people conform to the opinion of a majority
explain what psychologists mean by compliance (3)
- the shallowest level of conformity
- here a person changes their public behaviour , the way they act , but NOT their private beliefs
- there is usually a short term temporary change and is often the result of NSI
give an example of compliance (1)
- an example of C is you might say that you like rock music to be accepted into a group. however privately you can’t stand it , so when you aren’t with that group ( maybe at home with your family ) you listen to drum and bass instead
explain what psychologists mean by identification (3)
- a moderate level of conformity
- conformity occurs because a person wants to be associated with another person or group
- has elements of both internalisation and compliance
- beliefs are adopted and seen as correct (internalisation) , however the purpose of this is to fit in and be accepted ( compliance)
- the individual may not privately believe in everything the group stands for
give an example of identification (1)
Emma joins a new school and starts hanging out with a group of popular students. She begins to dress similarly to them, using the same slang and adopting their attitudes toward school. Emma is identifying with the group because she wants to fit in and be accepted
explain what psychologists mean by internalisation (3)
- have the deepest level of conformity
- here a person changes their public behaviour and the private beliefs
- this is usually a long term change and often results of informational social influence (ISI)
give an example of internalisation (1)
an example of INT is if an individual is influenced by a group of buddhists and converts to this faith , THEN their new religious way of life will continue without the presence of the group as they have internalised this belief
outline 3 differences between internalisation and compliance
- public acceptance and private rejection VS public and private acceptance
- short term effects vs long term effects
- caused by NSI vs caused by ISI
what is the difference between identification and internalisation
the main difference is that identification is often driven by the desire to belong and is more temporary, whereas internalization involves adopting behaviors or values because the individual genuinely believes in them, leading to more permanent changes
what are the 2 explanations for conformity ?
ISI - informational social influence
NSI - normative social influence
who developed the 2-process theory ?
Morton Deutsch and Harold Gerald (1955)
what is the 2-process theory ?
- there are 2 main reasons on why people conform
what are 2 central human needs ?
- wanting to fit in - (NSI)
- wanting to be right (ISI)
define informative social influence (1)
an explanation of conformity that says we agree to 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
define normative social influence (1)
- an explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked . this may lead to compliance
explain what is meant by normative social influence
- the explanation is about the norms in a social group
- a person therefore conforms to these norms to be accepted and to feel they belong to the group
- not conforming because they think it is right , but because it is socially rewarding , or to avoid social rejection
–> emotional rather than cognitive
explain what is meant by informational social influence
- when a person conforms to gain knowledge or because they believe that someone else is ‘right’
- ISI is usually associated with internalisation
-this change in behaviour and belief is the result of a person adopting a new belief system
–> AS they genuinely believe, that there new beliefs are ‘right’ - this typically occurs in the prescence of experts , when the situation is ambivalent or when the task is difficult
- it is a cognitive process
give an example of NSI
- an example of NSI is Asch’s (1951) conformity experiment
–> where participants gave incorrect answers to an easy task because they wanted to avoid standing out or being ridiculed by the majority.
–> this demonstrates that NSI often occurs in situations where group membership and social acceptance are important
give an example of ISI
- an example of ISI is when a student is unsure of an answer in class
- BUT sees others writing a particular response the may copy it
- -> assuming the majority is correct
- shows ISI occurs in uncertain situations where people look to others for guidance
