Types of conformity Flashcards
What is conformity
A form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position, when an individual’s behaviour, beliefs or values are influenced by other members of a reference group
Three examples of conformity
Marriage, following fashion trends, education
What are the three types of conformity
Compliance; Identification; Internalisation
What are the two explanations for conformity
Normative and Informational Social Influence
Who conducted research into conformity
Asch (1955)
What are the three variables affecting conformity
Group size; Unanimity; Task difficulty( as investigate by Asch)
Who conducted research into conformity to social roles
Zimbardo (1973)
When does Compliance occure
When individuals adjust their behaviour and opinions to those of a group publicly but not privately
How strong is compliance as a form of conformity
It is fairly weak and temporary form of conformity
What do individuals comply with in compliance
the beliefs and behaviour of those around them in order to be accepted or avoid disapproval/rejection, based on a desire to fit in
What is compliance dependent on
Presence of a group
Example of compliance
Smocking in the presence of your friends, but privately disliking it
What do individuals do in identification
Individuals adjust their behaviour and opinions to those of a group, because membership of that group is desirable
What type of acceptance does identification require
private and public acceptance
How is identification maintained
temporary and not maintained when individuals leave the group
Examples of identification
Becoming a vegetarian whilst at uni, because you identify with the views of your vegetarian flat mates, but eating meat again when you leave uni
what is internalisation known as
‘true conformity’ - it is the deepest type of conformity
when does internalistaion occur
When individuals genuinely take on/adopt the beliefs/ opinions and behaviour of others as their own
what type of acceptance does internalisation involve
both public and private acceptance of the group’s behaviour and opinions - it results in permanent acceptance
is internalisation dependent on a group
no
What is an example of internalisation
Converting to a different religion
