Conformity: Types & Explanations

define conformity

A change in a person’s behaviour/opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person/group of people

conformity is a type of…

social influence

there are many…around us everyday

social influences

There are many social influences around us everyday some of which…

we are aware of some of which we are not

how many types of conformity are there

3

what are the 3 types of conformity

compliance, identification & internalisation

define compliance

A superficial & temporary type of conformity where a person outwardly goes along with the majority but privately disagrees with it

which type of conformity is superfiicial

compliance

define identification

A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as a group because we value it and want to be part of it but do not necessarily agree with everything the group believes.

which type of conformity is moderate

identification

define internalisation

A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to far-reaching & permanent change in behaviour even when the group is absent

which type of conformity is deep

internalisation

in compliance, the person….to conform

does not want

in identification conformity stops when…

outside of membership group

why do people conform in identification

they want to be accepted/liked by the group

what are the two explanations for conformity

informal social influence & normative social influence

define ISI

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accept it because we want it to be correct as well

define NSI

An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked

what type of conformity is ISI likely to lead to

internalisation

what type of conformity is NSI likely to lead to

compliance

ISI is about…

who has the better information - you or the rest of the group

why does ISI happen

Often there is uncertainty about what behaviours/beliefs are right or wrong, individuals follow the behaviour of the group to be right

what type of process is ISI

cognitive

when is ISI likely to happen

in situations that are new/ there is ambiguity as to what the answer is/ in situations of crisis/ when one person is regarded as being more of an expert

NSI is about…

norms

what are norms?

what is normal/typical behaviour for a group

norms regulate…

the behaviour of groups and individuals

why does NSI happen

People do not like to appear foolish & prefer to gain social approval rather than be rejected

NSI is a …. process

emotional

when is NSI most likely to happen?

in situations where people feel concerned about rejection/ with familiar people (we are most concerned about social approval from our friends)/ in stressful situations where people have a greater need for social support

explain the strength research support for NSI

Asch’s participants conformed because they felt self-conscious of giving the correct answer & they were afraid of disapproval.  at least some conformity is a result of a desire not to be rejected by the group for disagreeing with them

explain the weakness NSI does not predict conformity in every case

some people are greatly concerned with being liked by others called nAffiliators who are more likely to conform. NSI underlies conformity for more people than it does others

explain the strength research support for ISI

Lucas et al found that participants conformed more often to incorrect answers they were given when the maths problems were difficult. SI is a valid explanation of conformity because it predicts the results generated in Lucas’ investigation

explain the weakness it is unclear whether it is NSI or ISI at work in research studies (or in real life)

Asch found that conformity is reduced when there is one other dissenting participant. The dissenter may reduce the power of NSI (by providing social support) or ISI (by providing an alternative source of social info).

explain the weakness NSI/ISI distinction is not useful

it's impossible to work out which is operating, so what is the point in distinguishing between the two explanations of conformity