Conformity: Types and explanations

What is conformity?

The extent to which we change our behaviour in response to the influence of real or perceived pressure from a majority group

What is compliance?

When a person wants to fit in so goes along with the group, conforming publicly, but disagerring privately- continues only when monitored by the group.

What are the conditions of compliance?

• PUBLIC behaviour CHANGES

• PRIVATE beliefs remains the same

• TEMPORARY

What is internalisation?

When a person conforms publicly but also privately as they have internalised and accapted the views of the group- deepest form of conformity- permanent change which occurs when group is absent as well

What are the conditions of internalisation?

• PUBLIC behaviour CHANGES

• PRIVATE beliefs CHANGE

• PERMANENT

What is Normative Social Infleunce?

When a person follows a group’s ‘normal’, conforming to social norms & behaviour to gain approval and avoid rejection/

Is NSI emotional or cognitive?

Emotional

What does NSI tend to lead to?

Compliance

When is NSI more likely to occur, and what is an example?

• When a person is worried they will be rejected (could be strangers or with friends that a person is worried will reject them)

• In more stressful situations, when a person desires more support

• In an unfamiliar situation

Drinking at a party when you would rather stay sober because all your friends are drinking

What is Informational Social Influence?

When a person looks to a majority group for the “right” information if tehy are not sure what behaviour is correct, as people want to be right.

Is ISI an emotional or cognitive process?

Cognitive

What does ISI tend to lead to?

Internalisation

When is ISI more likely to occur, and what is an example?

• When a decision is ambiguous or the situation is new to a person so they are unsure what the right decision is

• In crisis situations where a quick decision must be made and a person assumes the group is right

Following the group’s decision when you are lost, even if you are not sure if they are right.