Explanations and types of social influence

Social influence

Is the process by which our thoughts, feelings and behaviours are influenced by other people

Conformity

Conformity is when individuals yield to the pressures of a group and change their attitudes, values or behaviour

Who distingued the different types of conformity

Kelman (1958)

different types of conformity

Compliance, internalisation

Compliance

• Individual accept influence (conform) in order to gain approval or avoid disapproval

• Based on the desire to fit in

• Public conform —>  privately have their own views

internalisation

• occurs when an individual accepts influence because the content of the attitude or behaviour proposed is believed to be right

• Based on a desire to be right - may involve 'social referencing'

• True (permanent) change of private views

• Going along with others because you have accepted their point of view because its consistent with your own