Types and explanations of conformity

• What research supports Normative Social Influence (NSI) and Informational Social Influence (ISI)?

  Jenness's study on jelly bean estimates
• What did Jenness find about individual estimates after group discussion?

  Individual estimates tended to converge to a group norm
• Why did some participants conform in Jenness's study?

  They looked to the group for the right answer in an ambiguous situation
• What does Asch argue about Jenness's study?

  It tells little about conformity due to the ambiguity of the situation
• What did Asch ask his participants in his conformity experiment?

  Why they had conformed
• What reasons did participants give for conforming in Asch's study?

  They thought the group must be right or felt self-conscious
• How does Asch's study support NSI and ISI?

  NSI is shown by self-conscious participants conforming publicly, while ISI is shown by those doubting their own judgment
• How do NSI and ISI work together in conformity?

  Both can influence conformity, as seen when a dissenter reduces conformity by providing social support or new information
• What individual differences did McGhee find regarding NSI?

  Students high in need of affiliation were more likely to conform
• What does McGhee's study suggest about conformity?

  The desire to be liked influences conformity differently among individuals
• What did Perrin and Spencer find about ISI in their study?

  Only one out of 396 engineering students conformed
• What does Perrin and Spencer's study indicate about ISI?

  Some individuals may not feel the need to look to others for information
• What is conformity?

  • Change in behavior or opinion
  • Result of real or imagined pressure from a group
• What are the three levels of conformity according to Kelman?

  1. Compliance
  2. Identification
  3. Internalisation
• What is compliance in terms of conformity?

  • Weak form of conformity
  • Going along publicly while privately disagreeing
  • Example: Laughing at jokes you don't find funny
• What is identification in terms of conformity?

  • Changing private views and public behaviors to fit in
  • Temporary change based on group admiration
  • Example: Adopting a new football team when moving towns
• What is internalisation in terms of conformity?

  • Permanent acceptance of group norms
  • Genuine change in beliefs
  • Example: Becoming a vegetarian
• What is Normative Social Influence (NSI)?

  • Desire to be liked by the majority
  • Going along with the group despite disagreement
  • Usually results in compliance
• What is Informational Social Influence (ISI)?

  • Desire to be right
  • Looking to the majority for information
  • Usually results in internalisation
• What is the dual process model in conformity?

  • Conformity can be influenced by both NSI and ISI
  • Individuals may conform for social acceptance or information
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of NSI and ISI?

  Strengths:

  • Provides insight into social behavior
  • Explains different motivations for conformity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • May not account for all individual differences
  • Overemphasis on group influence