Types of conformity and explanations for conformity Flashcards
Define compliance.
Occurs when an individual accepts influence because they hope to achieve a favourable reaction from those around them. An attitude or behaviour is adopted not because of its content, but because of the rewards or approval associated with its adoption.
Define conformity.
Is a form of social influence that results from exposure to the majority position and leads to compliance with that position. It is the tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes and balls of the other members of the reference group.
Define identification.
A form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular person or group.
Define Informational social influence.
Is a form of influence, which is the result of a desire to be right- looking to others as a way of gaining evidence about reality.
Define internalisation.
Occurs when an individual accepts influence because the content of the attitude or behaviour proposed is consistent with their own value system.
Define normative social influence.
Is a form of influence whereby an individual conform with the expectations of the majority in order to gain approval or to avoid social disapproval.
Discuss research support for normative social influence.
The power of normative social influence is supported by research into adolescent smoking. Linkenback and Perkins (2003) exposed adolescents to negative peer messages on smoking, which overall reduced the likelihood of smokers. This shows a relationship between peoples normative beliefs and the likelihood of them smoking. Nolan et al. (2008) used hotel signs which claimed that 75% of guests refuse towels for energy conservation and found 25% of people responded. This supports the claim that people shape their behaviour to fit in with other groups.
Discuss research support from informational social influence.
Informational social influence helps to explain why stereotypes develop. Research has shown that exposure to others’ beliefs has an important influence on the way we stereotype others. Wittenbrink and Henley (1996) found people exposed to negative, but supposedly majority view about African Americans later reported more negative views about a black individual. This suggests that we are influenced by others when we believe they know more about an issue than we do.
Discuss why it is difficult to distinguish between compliance and internalisation.
The relationship between compliance and internalisation complicated by how we define and measure public compliance and private acceptance. Especially when taking place as a group acceptance can occur later. Information can be forgotten or misunderstood in the first place. This shows there is a fine line when distinguishing between compliance and internalisation.
Discuss any DIMPAL in types and explanations of conformity.
In the Wittenbrink et al. study there where ethical implications. The black man involved in the study may have experienced some emotional harm as stereotypes had developed around him. Therefore, a debrief or therapy after the study would have been necessary. Therefore there are ethical concerns associated with this study.
