Types of conformity & social influence Flashcards
What is conformity?
Conformity is a type of social influence where one changes their beliefs and/or behaviors to fit in with a group. This group pressure may be real or imagined.
What are the three main types of conformity (Kelman 1958)?
Compliance, internalisation and identification.
What does it mean by compliance?
When individuals conform for approval of the majority, they publicly change their views and behaviors, but would retain their original underlying beliefs.
What does it mean by internalization?
When individuals conform because they accept the majority’s views. They are encouraged to examine the views of their own and the majority’s. If the majority’s views seem convincing and trustworthy, it would lead to the individual accepting the majority’s views both publicly and internally.
What does it mean by identification?
When individuals conform because they want be associated with the majority. It includes elements of compliance and internalization. They adopt the majority’s views as they accept it to be right (internalization) but also because they want to be accepted and approved by the majority (compliance).
What are the two types of social influence that are used as explanations for conformity?
Normative social influence and informational social influence.
Rank the three types of conformity from the strongest, or most powerful in retaining the behavior, to weakest.
Identification, internalization, compliance.
What is normative social influence?
Where individuals conform to gain approval and acceptance.
What aspect about the human nature, forms the basis for normative social influence?
Humans are social animals and have a fundamental need for social companionship and fears of rejection and censure.
Which type of conformity is an example of normative social influence?
Compliance.
What is informational social influence?
When individuals conform to be correct in their perceptions and beliefs.
What aspect about human nature, forms the basis of informative social influence?
Humans have the need to feel confident that their perceptions and beliefs are correct.
What are two situations where informational influence is more likely?
Internalisation and identification
