Types of Conformity

Question 1

What is Social Influence?

Answer 1

A process by which our thoughts, feelings & behaviours are influenced by others.

Question 2

What is Conformity? (Normative and Informative)

Answer 2

Tendency to change our actions or thoughts in response to the influence of real or imagined pressure from a majority group. (e.g. fashion trends)
—> Normative Social Influence - desire to be liked, conform to fit in group so others will like us and accept us.
—-> Informative Social Influence - desire to be right, look to ppl we believe to be right/ have more info than us to guide our behaviour.

Question 3

Compliance

Answer 3

Def: Going along with things even if you disagree with it:
- follow majority even thought you don’t share same views –> to appear ‘normal’ and going against majority might lead to exclusion or rejection from group. (NORMATIVE)
- It’s a change in public belief but not private and is only short term lasting as group is present.

Question 4

Internalisation

Answer 4

Def: Accepting majority views as your own:
1) Accepting maj view as it is consistent with own beliefs –> internalised maj beliefs so they’re now you’re own too —> to look correct and look towards maj to determine behaviour.(INFORMATIVE)
2) change in beliefs both public & private, long lasting change/permanent.

Question 5

Identification

Answer 5

Def: Doing what’s expected of you to fulfil a role:
1) Do what’s expected to fill a social role –> change behaviour to associate with a specific role e.g. caring nurse.
2) Adopting group’s behaviour –> feel more a part of group (NSI).
3) conforming publicly not always not always privately and change is often temporary.

Question 6

Informative Social Influence (ISI)

Answer 6

1) Desire to be right - conform when we’re unsure of situation so we look to those who have more info or those we believe to be right & can lead to internalisation.
2) It is a cognitive process - ppl generally want to be right.

Question 7

Normative Social Influence (NSI)

Answer 7

1) Conform to be liked/accepted –> make favourable impression.
2) Change behaviour publicly not privately.
3) Emotional process rather than cognitive - ppl prefer social approval than rejection & it leads to compliance.

Question 8

Strength of NSI

Answer 8

RESEARCH SUPPORT

1) Asch’s study - found many pps conformed to avoid disapproval –> when pps wrote down answers (no normative pressure) conformity fell to 12.5%.