Explanations for conformity

• what are the explanations for conformity?

  informational social influence

  normative social influence
• define informational social influence 


  an explanation for 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
• define normative social influence 


  an explanation for conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked
• informational social influence 


  desire to be correct
• normative social influence 


  desire to be liked
• Evidence for ISI – Fein et al. asked participants to vote for a US presidential candidate after they saw others voting for somebody else. Most of the participants changed their mind because they wanted to be ‘correct’, thus demonstrating the impact of informational social influence as a mechanism for conformity.
• What does NSI stand for in the context of conformity?

  Normative Social Influence
• What evidence supports the link between NSI and bullying?

  • Garandeau and Cillissen's study
  • A boy can be manipulated by a bully to victimise another child
  • The bully provides a common goal for the boy's group
  • The goal is to victimise another child to avoid disapproval
• How does a bully influence a boy's behavior according to Garandeau and Cillissen?

  A bully provides a common goal that encourages the boy to victimise another child
• What did Lucas et al. find regarding conformity to incorrect maths answers?

  Conformity was greater when the question was more difficult
• What factor increased conformity in Lucas et al.'s study?

  Participants rated their own maths ability unfavourably
• What does the evidence from Lucas et al. suggest about individuals' behavior in difficult situations?

  Individuals are more likely to seek guidance from others when faced with difficulty
• What are the implications of the studies by Garandeau and Cillissen and Lucas et al. on conformity?

  • Highlights the role of NSI in social dynamics
  • Shows how peer pressure can lead to negative behaviors like bullying
  • Indicates that difficult tasks increase reliance on social influence