Conformity

• What is conformity?

  Yielding to group pressure. This occurs when an individual's behaviour and/or beliefs are influenced by a larger group of people. Also referred to as majority influence.
• What are the 3 types of conformity?

  • Compliance
  • Internalisation
  • Identification
• What is compliance?

  • Lowest level of conformity
  • When exposed to views of a majority, people engage in a process called 'social comparison' - trying to fit in with others
  • Compare their view with publics view and if there is too much difference, they conform
  • Temporary change
  • Conformity is public not private i.e. there's no change in personal opinion
• What is internalisation?

  • Deepest level of conformity
  • When exposed to views of others, they are encouraged to engage in a validation process where they examine their own beliefs to see who is right
  • Close examination of groups position may convince individual that they are wrong and the group is right
  • Long term change - even without the group, they will still behave/think in that way
  • Acceptance of groups point of view publicly and privately
• What is identification?

  • Individual may accept influence because they want to establish a relationship with a group
  • By adopting groups attitudes and behaviours they may feel more part of the group
  • Membership of this group is desirable and members of that group are seen as role models
  • Changes not permanent and behaviour will change when not in the presence of the group
  • Has elements of compliance and internalisation