SOCIAL INFLUENCE PSYCH P1

define conformity

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

why does a person conform?

• if they choose a course of action that is favoured by

the majority of other group members

what is conformity often referred to as?

majority influence

outline types of conformity

• internalisation

• compliance

explain compliance

• weak or temporary form of conformity where your personal opinions don’t change

• only done in presence of group

• involves going along with others in public

• superficial change

• public but not private change of behaviour/opinion

explain internalisation

• seen to be true conformity

• shown even in absence of group

• permanent change of behaviour/opinion

• private and public change of of opinion and behaviour

"How does compliance happen?"

• social comparison : concentrating on what others say or do so that they can adjust their actions

how does internalisation happen?

• validation process : consider own beliefs to see if they or the other are right - may be convinced that the beliefs of the group are right leading to acceptance.

what are the 2 explanations for conformity

• Normative Social influence

• informational social influence

explain Normative Social influence

• Norms - what is ‘normal’ or typical behaviour for a group

• Normative social influence is where a person conforms because they want to be liked and be part of a group.

• Emotional rather than cognitive process

• leads to compliance

• It is driven by a person's need to be accepted or have approval from a group/fear of rejection.

• happens in stressful situations

explain informational social influence

• Informational social influence is where a person conforms because they have a desire to be right, and look to others who they believe may have more or better information.

• cognitive rather than emotional process

• new situations/ambiguity

• internalisation

• crisis situations where decisions have to be made quickly

• It occurs in ambiguous, difficult, or novel situations where we lack the knowledge or expertise to make our own decisions.