Evaluation on the types of conformity

What is one strength of NSI?

One strength of NSI= it has been found to explain real world behaviour

Why is NSI being found to explain real world behaviour a strength?

One strength of Normative influence is that it has been found to explain real world behaviour. Linkenbach and Perkins (2003) showed that adolescents exposed to the message that the majority of teenagers do not smoke were less likely to take up smoking than a control group. This shows that our desire to fit in shapes our behaviour. Therefore, normative influence can explain the effect of peer pressure.

What is one weakness of NSI?

One weakness of NSI= it does not predict conformity in every case

Why is NSI not able to predict conformity in every case a weakness?

However, one limitation is that NSI does not predict conformity in every case. Such people are called nAffiliators - they have a strong need for 'affiliation' (i.e. they want to relate to other people). Paul McGhee and Richard Teevan (1967) found that students who were nAffiliators were more likely to conform. This shows that NSI underlies conformity for some people more than it does for others. (Super-Conformers) There are individual differences in conformity that cannot be fully explained by one general theory of situational pressures.

What is one strength of ISI?

One strength of ISI= has been demonstrated across a range of research studies

Why is ISI been demonstrated across a range of research studies a strength?

One strength of ISI is that it has been demonstrated across a range of research studies. For example, Lucas et al. (2006) asked students to answer maths problems that were either easy or difficult. There was a greater conformity to incorrect answers in the more difficult problems, especially in those that regarded their own maths ability as poor. This shows that people conform more in situations where they feel they don't know the answer This suggests that, in situations like this, we look to others and assume they know better than us and must be correct.

What is one weakness of ISI/NSI?

One weakness of ISI/NSI is= often unclear whether it is NSI or ISI at work in research studies or in real life

Why is ISI/NSI being often unclear at work in research studies or in real life a weakeness?

However, a problem is that it is often unclear whether it is NSI or ISI at work in research studies (or in real life). For example, Asch (1955) found that conformity is reduced when there is one other dissenting participant. The dissenter may reduce the power of NSI (because they provide social support) or they may reduce the power of ISI (because they provide an alternative source of social information). Both interpretations are possible. Therefore, it is hard to separate ISI and NSI and both processes probably operate together in most real-world conformity situations.

What is the limitation on the types of conformity?

Limitation on the type of conformity= difficult to distinguish between compliance and internalisation.

Why are the types of conformity being difficult to distinguish between compliance and internalisation a limitation?

One issue with types of conformity is that it is difficult to distinguish between compliance and internalisation. In the real world, it can be hard to tell which type of conformity is actually taking place. An individual could agree with a group publicly, then disagree in private, which would be compliance. They could also agree publicly and privately, internalisation, but later change their mind about agreeing. Both scenarios lead to agreeing publicly, then later disagreeing privately- Additional problen distinguishing identification+ internalisation. This shows the difficulty in displaying research evidence for both definitions.

past exam Q= Briefly outline and evaluate normative social influence as an explanation for conformity (4)

NSI is when people agree with the opinion of the group in order to be liked/gain approval or to avoid rejection/ridicule. This often leads to compliance, where people agree publicly with the group but do not change Their opinions privately. Lickenbach and Perkins (2005) showed that teenagers told that the majority of young people don't smoke were likely to do so. However, there are individual differences in how much people want to be liked, so not everyone will conform for this reason, casting doubt on the external validity of this concept