Types of conformity

• Conformity

  Conformity is a type of social influence. It refers to when a person changes their beliefs and/or behaviour in response to group pressure from the majority. For example, an individual may pretend to enjoy an artist’s music because all their friends like and listen to it.
• Types of conformity

  There are different types of conformity individuals can display. This depends on:

  • Whether there is a change in only behaviour (but not beliefs) or a change in both behaviour and beliefs.

  • Whether there is only a public change in behaviour/beliefs, or whether there is both a public and private change.

  • Whether the change in behaviour/beliefsis temporary or permanent.

  • Based on the above, whether the conformity is deep or shallow.
• Compliance

  Compliance is a type of conformity whereby an individual changes their behaviour to fit in with the majority. This behavioural change is only public, meaning that they maintain a different, private view. As a result, compliance is only temporary. This is because, once the majority group is no longer present, the individual returns back to their original behaviour. For these reasons, compliance is the shallowest type of conformity. An example would be a teenager smoking when with their friends even though they don’t like it and never smoke when alone.
• Identification


  • Identification is a type of conformity where an individual changes their behavior and beliefs due to their group membership and role.
  • This change is both public and private as they seek guidance from their group.
  • Identification can be temporary if the individual leaves the group.
  • It is deeper than compliance but shallower than internalization.
  • Example: An individual changes their football team from Liverpool FC to Manchester United after moving to Manchester and identifying as a Mancunian.
• Internalisation

  Internalisation is a type of conformity whereby an individual changes their behaviour and beliefs because the majority viewpoint has become a part of their own belief system. This change in behaviour and beliefs is both public and private. This means that internalisation is a permanent type of conformity as it lasts even if the majority is no longer present. For these reasons, internalisation is the deepest level of conformity. An example would be an individual permanently converting to veganism because they have internalised the belief that consuming meat is morally wrong.