Types of Conformity

Question 1

Internalisation

Answer 1

Where we take group norms as we accept it as correct
Leads to permanent change in behaviour as attitudes have become part of the way the person thinks
Change persists when group members are absent

Question 2

Identification

Answer 2

Moderate type of conformity where we act the same as a group because we value and wat to be a part of it
Publicly change opinions and behaviours even if we don’t agree with everything

Question 3

Compliance

Answer 3

Going along with others in public but not privately not changing personal opinions
Is a superficial change as behaviour stops with the absence of group pressure

Question 4

Normative Social Influence - NSI

Answer 4

An explanation of conformity where we agree with the majority opinion due to desire for social approval/being liked
An EMOTIONAL process as it’s related to the fear of disapproval
May lead to temporary change in opinions/behaviours - compliance

Question 5

Research Support for NSI

Answer 5

Evidence in Asch’s Study (1951) -> When pps were interviewed some said they conformed because they were self conscious giving the correct answer/feared disapproval

when pps wrote down answers conformity fell to 12.5% as privately giving answers eliminated group pressure –> shows some conformity is due to desire to not be rejected by group (NSI)

Question 6

Individual Differences in NSI

Answer 6

NSI doesn’t predict conformity in every case
Some are greatly concerned w/ being liked by others - nAffillators - due to strond need to ‘affiliate@ to relate to others –> McGhee + Teevan (1967) found they are more likelt to conform

Shows NSI affects people more than others and that there are individual differences that cannot be fully explained by one general theory of situational pressures

Question 7

Informational Social Influence - ISI

Answer 7

An explanation of conformity where we agree with the majority as we believe they are correct
A COGNITIVE process as it is to do with what you think
May lead to permanent change in opinion/behaviour - internalisation
Most likely in ambigious situations - not clear what’s right or crisis where decisions must be quick

Question 8

Research Support for ISI

Answer 8

Lucas et al (2006) - found pps conformed more often to incorrect answers to math problems the more difficult they were due to the situation become ambiguous –> didn’t want to be wrong so relied on answers given

Shows ISI is a valid explanation for conformity as the results are what ISI would predict

Question 9

COUNTERPOINT for Research on ISI

Answer 9

Often unclear if it is just NSI or ISI at work in research studies + in real life

e. g. Asch (1955) found conformity is reduced when there’s one other dissenting pp
- -> may reduce power of ISI as they provide alt source of social info OR may reduce power of NSI as they provide social support - both interpretations are possible

Hard to seperate ISI and NSI and both processes likely operate together in most real world conformity situations