Conformity: Types and Explanations

What is compliance?

Temporary agreement in public without changing private beliefs.

Why is compliance a low level of conformity?

Behaviour changes but beliefs stay the same.

What happens to compliance when group pressure stops?

It stops.

Give an example of compliance

Clapping with an audience even if you didn’t enjoy it.

What is internalisation?

Genuine acceptance of group norms.

Why is internalisation the deepest level of conformity?

It changes both public behaviour and private beliefs.

Does internalisation last when the group is absent?

Yes, it is permanent.

Give an example of internalisation

Religious beliefs.

What is informational social influence (ISI)?

Conformity because we believe others are correct.

Why does ISI occur?

Desire to be right.

In what situations is ISI most likely?

Ambiguous or unfamiliar situations.

What type of process is ISI?

Cognitive.

What level of conformity does ISI usually lead to?

Internalisation.

What is normative social influence (NSI)?

Conformity to gain social approval or avoid rejection.

Why does NSI occur?

Desire to be liked.

What situations increase NSI?

Unfamiliar groups or when rejection is feared.

What type of process is NSI?

Emotional.

What level of conformity does NSI usually lead to?

Compliance.

How does Asch’s study show NSI?

Participants conformed to avoid disapproval despite knowing the answer was wrong.

What evidence suggests NSI caused conformity in Asch’s study?

The task was obvious but participants still conformed.

How does task difficulty link to ISI?

Harder tasks increase conformity because people doubt themselves.

What research supports ISI?

Lucas et al. (2006).

What did Lucas et al. (2006) find?

Participants conformed more on difficult maths problems.

How is NSI shown in real life?

People change behaviour to fit social norms.

What real-life research supports NSI?

Linkenbach & Perkins (2003).

What did Linkenbach & Perkins (2003) find?

Teen smoking reduced when told peers disapproved.

AO3 for Conformity: Types and Explanations

• Supporting evidence for NSI

Participants still conformed even though the task was obvious

• Real Life Application

Lickenbach + Perkins, teens smoked less if peers disapproved