Conformity: Types and explanations

What is 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. (Aronson 2011)

Who suggested there are 3 ways in which people conform?

Kelman (1958)

What are the different types of conformity?

Internalisation, identification and compliance

what is compliance?

A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.

What is Internalisation?

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

what are the two types of explanations for conformity

Normative social influence and Informative social influence

which researchers developed the two-process theory

Deutsch and Gerald (1955)

what is Informational social influence (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 to be correct as well.

what process is ISI

Cognitive process because it is to do with what you think

what can ISI lead to

Permanent

When is ISI more likely to happen

what is Normative social influence (NSI)?

.

what process is NSI

When is NSI most likely to happen

What is one strength of research into types and explanation of conformity? (Research support for internalisation)

What is one strength of research into types and explanation of conformity? (Research support for ISI)

What is one weakness of research into types and explanation of conformity? (Research support for ISI) (counterpoint)

What is one weakness of research into types and explanation of conformity? (Individual difference in NSI)