1. Conformity: types and explanations

• What is conformity?


  a type of social influence where individuals change their behaviour due to real or perceived pressure from a majority group
• What is conformity also known as?


  majority social influence
• What are the 2 explanations for conformity?


  1. informational social influence
  2. normative social influence
• What is informational social influence?

  an explanation of conformity that says we agree with the behaviour of the majority as we believe it is correct, and we want to be correct as well
• What is normative social influence?


  an explanation of conformity that says we agree with the behaviour of the majority because we want to be accepted, liked and gain social approval
• What are the 3 types of conformity?


  1. internalisation
  2. identification
  3. compliance
• What is type is a deep level of conformity?


  internalisation
• What is a moderate level of conformity?

  identification
• What is a superficial level of conformity?


  compliance
• What type of conformity does informational social influence result in?


  internalisation
• What is internalisation?


  where the individual accepts the behaviour/belief of the majority to the extent that it becomes part of their own belief system
• How permanent is internalisation?


  the most permanent form of conformity
• How long does internalisation last?


  lasts even if the majority is no longer present
• What is an example of internalisation?


  changing your answer on a test because you see everyone else has a different answer
• What type of conformity does normative social influence result in?


  compliance
• What is compliance?


  where the individual changes their behaviour to fit in with the group publicly but do not necessarily agree with the behaviour/belief
• How permanent is compliance?


  not a permanent form of confomrity
• How long does compliance last?


  only lasts as long as the majority is present
• What is an example of compliance?


  saying you like a type of music even if you dont to not be the odd one out in your friend group
• What is identification?


  where the individual behaves the same as the majority because they value the group and identify with members but dont necessarily agree with everything
• How permanent is identification?


  not as permanent as internalisation but more than compliance
• How long does identification last?


  some behaviours may last when the majority is not present
• What is an example of identification?


  e.g. dressing up on world book day as everyone else in your school does