EL

Explanations of conformity

Deutsch + Gerald

Normative social influence

  • People want others to like them and not reject them

  • Easiest way to be accepted is to agree (doesn’t mean we truly agree)

  • Temporary

Informative social influence

  • Who has the most reliable information (want to be right)

  • Look to the opinions of others as we trust they are more likely to be correct

  • Permanent

AO3

NSI RESEARCH SUPPORT- asch found people were more likely to conform as they were afraid of disapproval. Conformity fell when p’s were asked to write down there answers.

ISI RESEARCH SUPPORT-Lucas et al found that people conformed more when maths problems were difficult

NSI OR ISI- asch found lower conformity when there was a dissenter( reduces NSI due to social support)(reduces ISIas they provide an alternate source of information)

INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE- nAffiliators are people concerned with being likely. McGhee and Teevan found students who were nAffiliators were more likely to conform.