Types of conformity and its explanations Flashcards
A definition for conformity? Another name for it? What are the types of conformity?
Conformity is a type of social influence defined as a change in belief or behavior in response to real or imagined social pressure. It is also known as majority influence. The three types are compliance, internalisation, and identification.
A definition for compliance? A study on compliance?
Compliance- This refers to instances where a person may agree in public with a group of people but the person actually privately disagrees with the group’s viewpoint or behavior. The individual changes their views, but it is a temporary change. For example, a person may laugh at a joke because their group of friends find it funny but deep down the person does not find the joke funny. For a study on compliance, refer to Asch.
A definition for internalisation? A study on internalisation?
Internalisation- Publicly changing behavior to fit in with the group while also agreeing with them privately. An internal (private) and external (public) change of behavior. This is the deepest level of conformity where the beliefs of the group become part of the individual’s own belief system. An example of internalisation is if someone lived with a vegetarian at university and then decides to also become one too because they agree with their friend’s viewpoint. Someone converting religions would also be a good example. For a study on internalisation, refer to Jenness.
A definition for identification? A study on identification?
Identification- Identification occurs when someone conforms to the demands of a given social role in society. For example, a policeman, teacher, or politician. This type of conformity extends over several aspects of external behavior. However, there may still be no change to internal personal opinion. A good example is Zimbardo’s prison study.
What are the two explanations for conformity?
Normative and informational social influence.
What is a definition for normative social influence? A study for normative social influence?
Normative Influence- The desire to be liked – when we conform to fit in with the group because we don’t want to appear foolish or be left out. For example, a person may feel pressured to smoke because the rest of their friends are. Normative influence tends to lead to compliance because the person smokes just for show but deep down they wish not to smoke. This means any change of behavior is temporary. For a study on normative influence, refer to Asch.
What is a definition for informational social influence? A study for informational social influence?
Informational Influence- The desire to be right – when we conform because we are unsure of the situation or lack knowledge, so we look to others who we believe may have more information than us. This explanation tends to lead to internalisation. An example of this is if someone was to go to a posh restaurant for the first time, they may be confronted with several forks and not know which one to use, so they might look to a nearby person to see what fork to use first. For a study on informational influence, refer to Jenness.
What was the procedure for Jenness’ Bean Jar experiment?
Participants were asked to estimate how many beans they thought were in a jar. Each participant had to make an individual estimate and then do the same as a group.
What did Jenness find?
He found that when the task was carried out in a social group, the participants would report estimates of roughly the same value (even though they had previously reported quite different estimates as individuals).
Strengths of the study?
The study was successful in showing majority influence, thus proving that individuals’ behavior and beliefs can be influenced by a group. Additionally, this is likely to be an example of informational social influence as participants would be uncertain about the actual number of beans in the jar.
