Types Of Conformity

Question 1

What is social influence?

Answer 1

How the behaviours or opinions (thoughts, attitudes, actions) of an individual can be affected by others

Question 2

What is conformity?

Answer 2

A type of social influence where an individuals behaviour or opinions is changed due to real or imagined pressure from a person or group - yielding to group pressures.

Question 3

Why do we conform?

Answer 3

Normative social influence (desire to be liked)
Informational social influence (desire to be right)

Question 4

What is compliance?
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4

Answer 4

A superficial and temporary type of conformity
individuals change their behaviour and opinions of those of the group to fit in and to be liked -NSI
We publicly 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.

Question 5

Example of conformity

Answer 5

Liking the football team of your group
(privately don’t like it)

Question 6

What is identification?
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2
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4

Answer 6

A moderate type of conformity
Individuals change their opinions and behaviour to act in the same way with the group because we value it and want to be a part of it.
But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority believes
Public and privately agree although not maintained when group leaves

Question 7

Example of identification

Answer 7

Policeman

Question 8

What is internalisation
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Answer 8

A deep type of conformity

Individuals change behaviour and opinions where they take on the majority view because they accept it as correct. ISI
It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour,
MAINTAINED even when the group is absent.
Public accept , private accept

Question 9

Internalisation example

Answer 9

Converting to a religion

Question 10

Explanations for conformity
What is normative social influence?

Answer 10

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. This may lead to compliance.

Publicly agree, privately disagree

Question 11

Explanations for conformity
What is informational social influence?

Answer 11

We have a desire to be right. An explanation of conformity that says we agree with 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.

Question 12

Example of informational social influence

Answer 12

Starting a new job
Don’t know what to do/unfamiliar environment
Copy co workers to do work in the best efficient way - the right way

Question 13

Compliance - Why is it the weakest?

Answer 13

It is the weakest type because it’s only a superficial change and is a temporary form of conformity. You change your beliefs externally but not internally as the behaviour is only shown in the presence of the group and stops as soon as the group pressure stops.

Question 14

Internalisation- Why is it the strongest?

Answer 14

Because the person genuinely accepts the group norms which results in private as well as public change of opinions/behaviours. The change is likely to be permanent because attitudes have been internalised. The change in opinions/behaviours persists even in the absence of the group members.

Question 15

Identification - Why is it only middling in strength?

Answer 15

It sometimes involves private as well as public acceptance, but is generally temporary and is not maintained when individuals leave the group.

Question 16

Evaluation of NSI/ ISI as an explanation for conformity.
S
S
L
L

Answer 16

Strength: research evidence (NSI) ASCH
Strength: research evidence (ISI) LUCAS

Limitation: explain actions doesn’t account for individual differences MCGHEE AND TEEVAN
Limitation: can be difficult to distinguish between the 2 DEUTCH AND GERALD

Question 17

Evaluation of NSI/ ISI as an explanation for conformity.
Strength: there is research evidence NSI

Answer 17

E: Asch’s research demonstrates how individuals will conform with the majority on an unambiguous line comparison test (even when they know their response is incorrect)
They were ask why they conformed, some said to to be liked and in an attempt to not stand out.
E: Normative social influence suggest people conform to the majority be liked and feel accepted.
L: This is a strength because it shows that the NSI is a valid explanations as to why people conform with the majority. So increases credibility and validity

Question 18

Who proposed the 2 process theory?

Answer 18

Deutsch and Gerard proposed a two process theory which suggests there are two main reasons as to why we conform: (1) the need to be liked (2) the need to be right.

Question 19

Evaluation of NSI/ ISI as an explanation for conformity.
Research support for ISI

Answer 19

P: Lucas et al asked students of a mixed ability to complete a variety of maths questions of different difficulties.
E: Greater conformity of students who rated their maths abilities as low on questions considered difficult.
E: which is informational social influence as they feel that they don’t know the answers - so conforming to the majority as they believe the majority is correct and they have a desire to be correct
L: supports ISI explanation of conformity increasing its credibility situations

Question 20

Evaluation of NSI/ ISI as an explanation for conformity.
Individual differences not accounted for

Answer 20

P: Research shows that NSI affects different people’s behaviour in different ways.
E: McGhee and Teevan (1967) found students in need of affiliation are more likely to conform.
E: Some people have more need for affiliation, suggesting that some people may be more susceptible to conformity than others.
L This suggests their may be individual differences in the way NSI affects different people so cannot be applied equally to all.

Question 21

Evaluation of NSI/ ISI as an explanation for conformity.
Difficult to distinguish between NSI and ISI

Answer 21

E: The idea of Deutsch and Gerard’s two-process approach is that ISI and NSI work separately, however both processes may actually be working together.
E: For example, in Asch’s line study, adding a dissenting participant decreased conformity rates. This could be due to it decreasing the power of NSI as there is an increase in social support, or it could be decreasing the power of ISI as there is an alternative source of information.
L: This shows how it is difficult to tell whether ISI or NSI at work therefore casts doubts over the idea that they work independently to explain conforming behaviour.

Question 22

What is meant by NSI (2 marks)

Answer 22

Exp of conformity - desire to be liked, accepted fit in (1)
Lead to compliance (privately disagree publicly agree)

Question 23

What is meant by internalisation (2 marks)

Answer 23

Deep from of conformity
Private and public acceptance permanent
Maintained even when group not pe resent

Question 24

What is meant by compliance (3 marks)

Answer 24

Weakest form of conformity public agree private disagree (1)
BECAUSE of NSI
Not maintained when group is gone