conformity types and explanations

what did Kelman say the 3 ways people conform are?

internalisation, identification, compliance

internalisation

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

identification

a moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be a part of it, but we don't necessarily agree with everything the majority believes

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 behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us

what was Deutsch & Gerard (1955) 2 explanations for conformity?

• ISI- need to be right

• NSI- need to be liked

normative social influence

an explanation of conformity that says we don't want to seem out of place so seek social approval and follow the group, an emotional process with a temporary change in behaviour (compliance)

informational social influence

an explanation of conformity that says we automatically judge who is more likely to have the right information, cognitive process leading to permanent changes in behaviour (internalisation)

strength of conformity explanations- research support for NSI

• Asch (1951) interviewed participants after, some said they conformed as they felt self conscious saying the correct answers as they were afraid of disapproval

• when they wrote their answers conformity fell to 12.5% as normative pressure was removed

• shows some conformity is due to desire to not be rejected by the group for disagreeing

strength of conformity explanations- research support for ISI

• Lucas et al. (2006) participants conform more to incorrect answers when maths questions were difficult

• this is because with hard problems ambiguity is introduced and participants rely on expert answers, when problems are easy participants know they're capable

• supports ISI as results are what ISI would predict

weakness of conformity explanations- confusion around NSI vs ISI

• its unclear if NSI or ISI operate in studies and real life

• Asch (1955) conformity is reduced when there is another dissenter as they reduce NSI's power through social support, or they could reduce ISI by giving alternative answers

• in reality ISI and NSI probably work together and are hard to separate

weakness of conformity explanations- individual differences in NSI

• NSI doesn't always predict conformity as some people really need to be liked, they need affiliation (relate to others), they're called nAffiliators

• McGhee & Teevan (1976) found nAffiliators are more likely to conform

• conformity can't be explained by one explanation, NSI more important for some people, individual differences not explained by a theory of situational pressures

counterpoint of conformity explanations- does it matter if its NSI or ISI?

• Lucas et al’s study shows that the NSI/ ISI distinction may not be useful as its impossible to work out which is operating

• however, Asch’s research supports both NSI (disapproval of a unanimous group strongly motivates conformity) and ISI (you assume the unanimous group knows better than you)

• therefore, both concepts are useful as they can be identified and used to explain the reasons for conformity in studies and real world situations