Types + Explanations for conformity

• What is the research for Informative social influence (ISI)?


  Jennes (1992) found that when participants were asked to make independent guesses on the number of beans in a jar, then asked to discuss the estimates in groups, then asked to make a second private estimate, people's second guess moved closer to the group estimate + females typically conform more
• Why does the research for Informative Social influence (ISI) support the theory?


  it suggests that people are using others as sources of information and changing their behaviour accordingly in order to be correct
• What is the research for Normative Social Influence (NSI)?


  Schultz found that hotel guests who received a message containing normative information about the reuse of towels, had reduced their need for fresh towels by 25% compared to hotel guests who didn't receive the message.
• Why does the research for NSI support the theory?


  it suggests that the guests had conformed in order to 'fit in' with the perceived group behaviour
• What is a limitation of the research for NSI/ISI?

  not everybody conforms -> people who are more knowledgeable and more confident are less influenced
• What Factors affect conformity?


  1. group size
  2. unanimity
  3. task difficulty
• What is normative social influence?

  Normative social influence is conforming to be accepted/belong to a group and avoid rejection.
• What are the three types of social influence in terms of behavior change?

  1. Compliance: Change in public behavior without internal change.
  2. Identification: Change in behavior to be associated with a group.
  3. Internalisation: Change in behavior and beliefs that are adopted long-term.
• What is the definition of informational social influence?

  Informational social influence is conforming to be right and/or to gain knowledge.
• What is Compliance?


  a short term change in public behaviour but not private behaviour
• Example of compliance?


  saying you like rock music to your friends even though you don't
• What is Identification?


  changes in both public and private beliefs but only when you're within a certain group (short term)
• Example of Identification?


  teachers act a specific way at work but then behaviour changes when they get home
• What is Internalisation?


  long term changes in both public and private behaviour
• Example of internalisation?


  living with vegans then becoming vegan for the rest of your life
• What is an example of Normative Social Influence?


  drinking at a party even though you don't want to so you'll be invited to the next one
• What is an example of Informative Social Influence?


  looking at someone's maths test and changing your answers