Psychology: Social Influence

• Conformity: Asch's Research (Line Study)

  • Solomon Asch (1951, 1955)
  • 123 American male undergraduates
  • 6/7 participants in each trial
  • P's showed one 'standard line' and three 'comparison lines' and asked which one matched.
  • On 12/18th trial confederates gave wrong answer.
  • 75% conformed at least once.
• Conformity Types: Internalisation

  • A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct.
  • person genuienly accepts the group norms
  • long-term
  • private & public change of opinions/behaviours
  • eg. vegans, vegetarians, religion
• Conformity Types: Identification

  • A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don’t necessarily agree with everything the group/majority believes.
  • short-term
  • public change but not private
  • eg. Zimbardo's prison study, police, teachers
• Conformity Types: Compliance

  • A superficial and temporary type of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it.
  • behaviours stops as soon as group pressure stops
  • short-term
  • eg. Asch's Line study
• Conformity Explanations: Informational Social Influence

  • An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accept it because we want to be correct as well.
  • This may lead to internalisation.
• Conformity Explanations: Normative Social Influence

  • An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked.
  • This may lead to compliance.