Types of conformity

Created by

phoebe rackley

Cards (32)

Conformity-
-Change in persons behaviour or opinions as a result of real or imagined group pressure from a person or group of people
Internalisation-
-Deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it is correct
-It leads to permanent change in behaviour even when the group is absent
-Behaviour/Opinion changes publicly and privately
Identification-
-A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be apart of it,
-But we dont necessarily agree privately
-Behaviour/Opinion changes in public to fit in with valued group, not privately
Compliance-
-Superficial, temporary type of conformity where we outwardly agree with majority view, but privately disagree with it
-Changes in behaviour are present only when group is monitoring us
-Behaviour/Opinion changes publicly in presence of group, not privately
Explanations of conformity-
-Deutsch & Gerald developed 2 process theory based on 2 human needs :need to be right, need to be liked
1.Informational social influence
2.Normative social influence
Informational social influence-
-Says we agree with majority opinion because we believe its correct, so we accept it cause we want to be right
-Leads to permanent change in behaviour / opinion
Normative social influence
-Says we agree with majority opinion because we want to be liked/gain social approval
-Leads to temporary change in behaviour/opinion
Identification characteristics-
-Conforming because we value/admire the group
-Comes from wanting to fit in with particular group, wanting acceptance
-Some preparation to change views to be part of group
-Public but not private acceptance
-Temporary change to behaviour
Compliance characteristics -
-Weakest form of conformity
-Superficial agreement with group
-Comes from desire to be liked
-Public not private acceptance
-Temporary change to behaviour
Lucas et al (2006) Informational-
-Found ppts conformed more often to incorrect answers given when maths problem was difficult
-Because when problems were easy the ppts knew their own mind
-They didnt want to get answer wrong so relied on answers they were given
Schultz (2008) Normative-
-Found they were able to change behaviour of hotel guests by using printed msgs encouraging saving energy
-Msgs suggested other guests were using fewer bath towels
-Ppts exposed to msg that 75% re used towel daily, reduced their own towel use by 25% suggesting people shape behaviour by desire to fit in
Asch (1951) Normative-
-Ppts agreed with confederates incorrect answers 36.8% of time
-When interviewed, some ppts said they conformed as they felt self conscious giving correct answer and afraid of disapproval
-When ppts wrote down answer conformity fell to 12.5%
Weakness individual differences-
-Research shows NSI doesn't affect everyones behaviour on same way
-Individuals who have greater need for association with others described as naffiliators
-They are more likely to be affected by NSI as more desire to be liked
-Shows that desire to be liked underlies conformity for some people more than others
Weakness NSI and ISI distinction-
-Deutsch and Gerrad suggested behaviour is due to either NSI or ISI but more often both processes involved
-Asch found adding a dissenter to group reduced conformity
-Dissenter may have reduced power of NSI or reduced power of ISI
-Shows that isnt always possible to be sure whether NSI or ISI is at work, casts doubt over view that 2 processes operate independently
Aschs aim-
To test how strong the urge is towards social conformity
Aschs research method-
-Laboratory experiment
-IV: response of confederates
-DV: Response of participants
Aschs design-
-Repeated measures
Aschs participants
-123 male participants from 3 institutes of higher learning in America
Asch's procedure-
-Groups of 7-9 only one was ppt rest were confederates
-Ppts were told they would be comparing line lengths
-Shown 2 large white cards, one with 1 vertical lines, other with 3 lines
-Asked to chose line from 2nd card that was same length as first
-Ppt was seated near end of group each person read put
-Confederate gave correct answer in 1st and 2nd trial not 3rd
-18 trials
-At end interviews were given on why they conformed
Variables affecting conformity-
-Group size
-Unanimity
-Task difficulty
Group size - Asch
-Asch varied the number of confederates from 1-15
Group size - Asch results
-Conformity rose to 32% with 3 confederates
Unanimity- Asch
-Asch introduced a confederate who disagreed with other confederates
Unanimity- Asch results
-Conformity dropped from 32 to 5%
Task difficulty - Asch
-Asch increased difficulty of the line judging task by making the standard line and test lines more similar to each other in length
-This made it harder for ppts to see the difference between lines
Task difficulty - Asch results
-Conformity increase
Why did conformity increase with group size?
-The ppts feel more pressure to conform
-However, increasing the majority beyond 3 did not increase conformity levels any further
Why did conformity decrease with unanimity?
-The dissenter supports the ppt, increasing their confidence that they are correct (ISI) and leads to ppts feeling less need for social approval from group (NSI)
Why did task difficulty increase conformity?
-Confidence in more difficult tasks decreases, so ppts looked to other for the answers -ISI
Strength of Asch (Internal validity)-
-Lab experiment so high internal validity
-Was carefully controlled and standardised procedures were followed, each ppt had same experience
Weakness of Asch (Temporal validity)-
-Perrin and Spencer argue Asch lacks temporal validity, suggesting high conformity rates due to cultural conditions in Cold War america
-In 1980's their replication with British students found conformity in only 1 trial out of 396
-Suggested that societal changes might explain lower conformity rates they observed
Weakness of Asch (Mundane realism)-
-Task lacks mundane realism, matching line lengths is a simple and highly controlled task
-Helps to isolate conformity and minimise extraneous variables, doesn't replicate real life scenarios, conforming happens in social contexts with people we know
-Artificial nature of Asch's work means it not valid measure of real life conformity