Types of conformity

• What are the 3 types of conformity

  • Internalisation
  • Compliance
  • Identification
• The three types of conformity are internalisation, compliance and identification
• What is internalisation?

  Going along with the majority and believing their views. You accept and internalise their views so they are now your own
• What is compliance?

  Going along with the majority despite not sharing their views
• What is identification?

  Conforming to what is expected of your social role. Your behaviour changes to a specific role in society to be a role model
• Sherif (1935) tested the effects of informational social influence
• Sherif (1935) (effects of informational social influence): Method

  • Lab experiment
  • Repeated measures
  • Autokinetic effect
  • stationary spot of light in dark room appears to move
  • Ps falsely told light will move
  • Ps had to estimate how far light moved
  • Phase 1 Ps made estimates
  • Phase 2 Ps in groups of 3 made estimates
  • Phase 3 tested individually again
• Sherif (1935) (effects of informational social influence): results

  • When Ps alone they develop own estimates
  • Varied estimates between Ps
  • When in group answers became alike
  • When on their own again answers were more similar
• Sherif (1935) (effects of informational social influence): conclusion


  • Ps influenced by others
  • Group norm was developed
  • Estimates converged from Ps helping each other
  • Affected by informational social influence
• Sherif (1935) (effects of informational social norms): Evaluation

  • Lab experiment = strict control of variables
  • Results unlikely affected by third variable
  • Cause and effect established
  • Method replicable
  • Repeated measures means Ps variables kept constant
  • Flawed = Ps told line moved when it didnt
  • Artificial situation = lacks ecological validity
  • Sample size is limited
  • All Ps male = not generalisable
  • Ethical problem = deception
• Asch (1951) designed experiment, people conform to majority incorrect answer in an ambiguous task
• Asch (1951) (Effects of Normative social influence): Method

  • Lab experiment
  • Independent groups design
  • Groups of 8
  • Judged length of lines saying out loud (1, 2 or 3)
  • Real P went last
  • 18 trials for each P
  • 12 trials confederates all gave wrong answer
• Asch (1951) (Effects of Normative social influence) Results:

  • Control trials = wrong answer 0.7 % of the time
  • Critical trials = Ps conformed 37 % of the time
  • 75 % conformed at least once
  • Ps didn't believe own answers
• Asch (1951) (Effects of Normative Social Influence)Conclusion:

  • Control condition showed task was easy
  • 37% wrong = Normative social influence
• Asch (1951) (Effects of Normative Social Influence) Evaluation:

  • Lab experiment = good control of variables
  • Extraneous variables minimised
  • Repeatable
  • Ps in unnatural situation = lack ecological validity
  • Less likely to conform with real-life consequences
  • Ethics Ps deceived
• Asch Ps affected by situational factors
• Situational and dispositional factors affect conformity
• Factors affecting conformity: Group size

  • Bigger majority = more influential
  • Fewer people = Less influence
• Asch (1956) conformity of different number of confederates

  • 2 confederates = 14 % conformed
  • 3 confederates = 32 % conformed
  • Little change in rates beyond 3
• Factors affecting conformity: Social support

  • Asch did version with confederate as a support
  • Confederates agreed with P
  • Dissenter broke unanimity = easier to resist conformity
  • Conformity fell to 5.5 %
• Eagly and Carli (1981): Gender affecting conformity

  • Meta-analysis
  • Some sex diffs present
  • Findings were inconsistent
• Eagly (1987) Gender affecting conformity

  • Men and women different social roles affect conformity
  • Women concerned with group harmony
  • Assertiveness and independence were male attributes
  • Men more likely to maintain their own view
• Wiesenthal et al (1976) expertise and confidence affect conformity

  People who felt competent were less likely to conform