Conformity & Zimbardo

• What is conformity?

  An individual changing their behaviour as a result of real or imagined pressure
• What are the three types of conformity?

  1. Internalisation
  2. Identification
  3. Compliance
• What is internalisation in the context of conformity?

  When people genuinely accept the group's norms and their public and private views change
• Give an example of internalisation.

  A person who undergoes a genuine religious conversion
• What is identification in conformity?

  Conforming to a group privately and publicly because there is something they value
• How does identification differ from internalisation?

  Identification is temporary and may revert when leaving the group, while internalisation is a genuine change
• Provide an example of identification.

  Becoming emo to fit in with a friend group but reverting to old style when leaving
• What is compliance in the context of conformity?

  Going along with others in public to avoid disapproval while privately not changing personal opinion
• Give an example of compliance.


  Pretending to like a film all your friends like
• What are the key characteristics of the three types of conformity?

  • Internalisation: Genuine acceptance of group norms; changes both public and private views.
  • Identification: Changes public views; private beliefs may revert after leaving the group.
  • Compliance: Superficial change; public agreement without private belief change.
• What are the two explanations for conformity?

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

  • Based on the belief that others have better information
  • People follow the majority to be correct
  • Cognitive process leading to permanent change (internalisation)
• What type of process is Informational Social Influence (ISI)?

  Cognitive process
• What does ISI lead to in terms of opinion or behavior change?

  Permanent change (internalisation)
• What is Normative Social Influence (NSI)?

  • Based on group norms regulating behavior
  • People seek social approval and avoid appearing foolish
  • Emotional process leading to temporary change (compliance/identification)
• What type of process is Normative Social Influence (NSI)?

  Emotional process
• What does NSI lead to in terms of opinion or behavior change?

  Temporary change (compliance/identification)
• Why is NSI more likely to occur with strangers?

  To avoid rejection
• What is the main motivation behind Normative Social Influence (NSI)?

  Social approval
• How does ISI differ from NSI in terms of the type of change it produces?

  ISI leads to permanent change, while NSI leads to temporary change
• What is the relationship between cognitive processes and ISI?

  ISI is a cognitive process focused on information
• What is the relationship between emotional processes and NSI?

  NSI is an emotional process focused on social approval