evaluations on explanations for conformity

state the 4 points for the explanations for conformity.

• there is research support for NSI

• there is research support for ISI

• the two-process approach says behavior is due to either NSI or ISI, however its likely that both processes are involved in conformity

• ISI doesn’t affect everyone in the same way

describe and explain the research support for NSI

• McGhee and Teevan (1967)

• found that ppl with strong need to be liked (naffiliatiors) need a relationship with others and are more likely to conform

  • suggests people’s desire to be liked shapes their behavior and decisions

describe and explain the research support for ISI

• Lucus et al (2006)

• asked participants to give answers to easy and hard math problems

• there was more conformity to wrong answers when the task was hard + was most true for people who rated their math abilities as poor

  • suggests when people are uncertain of the answer/ a situation they conform to the majority

describe and explain that NSI and ISI are both involved in conformity

• in a variation of asch’s study, conformity was reduced when there was 1 other nonconforming participant.

• this dissenter may have reduced NSI as it provided the participant with social support, or reduced ISI as they provided an alternative source of info.

  • shows its not always possible to know whether NSI or ISI underlies conforming behavior

describe and explain that ISI doesn’t affect everyone in the same way

• Perrin and Spencer (1980)

• conducted a study on science + engineering students by replacing Asch’s original study.

• only 1 student conformed in a total of 396 trials.

  • shows there are individual differences in ISI as engineering students may have felt more confident about measuring lines than the original sample → less conformist.