Types & explanations of conformity

What are the three different types of conformity?

• Internalisation

• Identification

• Compliance

What is the difference between internalisation & compliance?

• Internalisation: deep, public & private acceptance

• Compliance: superficial, temporary & only public acceptance

What is identification?

A moderate level of conformity in which we act in the same way as the majority to be part of it but don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority says

What are the two explanations for conformity?

• Normative social influence (NSI)

• Informational social influence (ISI)

What is informational social influence (ISI) ?

We agree with the majority because we believe the majority to be correct & we want to be correct as well

What is normative social influence (NSI) ?

We agree with the majority because we want to be liked/accepted, gain social approval & maintain group harmony

Which explanation will most likely lead to compliance?

Normative social influence (NSI)

Which explanation will most likely lead to internalisation?

Informational social influence (ISI)

What is one piece of research evidence in support of ISI?

Jenness (jelly bean study):

• 101 participants were shown a glass jar containing 811 beans & asked to individually guess how many jelly beans were in the jar

• they were then divided into groups of 3 & asked to provide a group estimate after discussion

• they were then provided with another opportunity to individually guess the number of beans to see if they changed their original answer → results found nearly all participants changed their original answer

Outline and evaluate the types and explanations of conformity (16 marks)

Write your AO1 paragraph

• There are three types of conformity: compliance, identification & internalisation.

• Firstly, compliance is a superficial & temporary level of conformity in which we publicly agree with the majority but privately disagree. It exists only whilst the group is there monitoring us. Secondly, identification is a moderate level of conformity in which we act in the same way as the majority to be part of it but don’t necessarily agree with everything the majority says. Finally, internalisation is the deepest level of conformity where we conform because we believe the majority opinion is right. This leads to both public & private acceptance.

• There are two explanations for conformity: normative social influence (NSI) & informational social influence (ISI).

• Firstly, NSI refers to when we agree with the majority because we want to be liked/accepted, gain social approval & maintain group harmony. This most likely leads to compliance. Secondly, ISI refers to when we agree with the majority because we believe the majority to be correct & we want to be correct as well. This most likely leads to internalisation.

Outline and evaluate the types and explanations of conformity (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Jenness)

• Point: One strength of research into the types & explanations of conformity is there is research evidence in support of ISI.

• Evidence: For example, in Jenness’ jelly bean study, 101 participants were asked to estimate the number of jelly beans in a jar (contained 811). After making an initial individual estimate, participants discussed their answers in groups of three & then made a second individual estimate.

• Explain: Results found nearly all the participants changed their original answer & estimates shifted towards the group average.

• Link: As such, this suggests that when people are uncertain or perceive themselves as less competent, they look to others for guidance to be correct, increasing the validity of ISI.

Outline and evaluate the types and explanations of conformity (16 marks)

Write your strength AO3 PEEL (Asch)

• Point: One strength of research into the types & explanations of conformity is there is research evidence in support of NSI.

• Evidence: For example, in Asch’s three lines test, participants conformed to the majority even when the answer was unambiguous (as shown by a pilot study where 717 out of 720 trials were answered correctly).

• Explain: This effect was further confirmed in a variation where participants wrote their answers down anonymously (rather than saying aloud) & conformity rates dropped to 12.5%.

• Link: Overall, this increases the validity of ISI as interviewers conducted by Asch afterwards revealed most participants conformed as they wanted to fit in & avoid ridicule.

Outline and evaluate the types and explanations of conformity (16 marks)

Write your limitation AO3 PEEL (Perrin & Spencer)

• Point: One limitation of research into the types & explanations of conformity is that Asch’s study suffers from historical bias & low temporal validity.

• Evidence: For example, it is considered to be a ‘child of its time’, as it was conducted in 1950s America during the Cold War - a period in time characterised by high conformity rates as people feared being accused as communists.

• Explain: Perrin & Spencer replicated Asch’s study using maths & engineering students & found lower conformity rates, with only 1 out of 396 trials showing conformity.

• Link: As such, this suggests Asch’s study has low test-retest reliability & his findings may not be completely generalisable to the 21st century, as conformity levels change depending on the social & historical context.