types of conformity

Question 1

define conformity

Answer 1

is a change in a person’s behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or a group of people

Question 2

what is compliance?

Answer 2

• Compliance involves ‘going along with others in public, but privately disagreeing.
• Don’t want to be the odd one out
• NSI
  E.g. A person may laugh at a joke because their friends find it funny but deep down the person does not find the joke funny
  → Compliance is a temporary change

Question 3

what is internalisation?

Answer 3

• when a person genuinely accepts and adopts group norms and beliefs.
• It results in publicly changing behaviour while also agreeing with them privately.
  E.g. If someone living with a vegetarian at university and then decides to also become one too because they agree with their friend’s viewpoint
  → Internalisation leads to a permanent change in a person’s behaviour/attitude

Question 4

what is identification?

Answer 4

• Identification is when we identify with a group that we value and want to become a part of.
• This results in a public change in our opinions and behaviour, even if we don’t privately agree.
  E.g. Zimbardo’s prison study
  → Identification leads to a deeper level of conformity but can still be temporary