Conformity: types and explanations

• What is a commonly accepted definition of conformity according to Aronson?

  A change in behavior or belief due to group pressure, whether real or imagined
• Why do people find it hard to go against the crowd?

  Fear of social rejection and desire for acceptance
• What is the primary motivation behind compliance in conformity?

  Desire to get a positive reaction from others
• What are the three types of conformity according to Helman?

  • Compliance
  • Identification
  • Internalization
• What is compliance in the context of conformity?

  Changing behavior due to pressure from others
• How does identification differ from compliance?

  Identification involves aligning with a group's values
• What is the key aspect of internalization in conformity?

  Beliefs and behaviors change permanently
• What drives the motivation behind internalization?

  Desire for correctness and moral alignment
• What is normative social influence (NSI)?

  Conforming to be liked or accepted by others
• How does informational social influence (ISI) differ from NSI?

  ISI is driven by the desire to make correct choices
• In an emergency, how do people typically respond according to ISI?

  They look to others for guidance on behavior
• What did Bond's meta-analysis reveal about conformity in collectivist vs. individualistic societies?

  Collectivist societies showed higher conformity rates
• How can personality traits influence conformity?

  Some people have a stronger need to be liked
• Why is it difficult to determine the motivations behind conformity?

  Participants may not be aware of their motivations
• What is the role of an internal locus of control in conformity?

  People feel responsible for their actions
• What are the key features of normative and informational social influence?

  • Normative Social Influence (NSI):
  • Driven by social acceptance
  • Results in compliance
  • Informational Social Influence (ISI):
  • Driven by the desire for correctness
  • Results in internalization