explanations of conformity

• what are the 2 explanations of conformity?

  1. normative social influence
  2. informational social influence
• define normative social influence

  conforming to be liked or accepted by a group
• which type of conformity links to normative social influence?

  compliance
• explain normative social influence

  people conform to avoid rejection or gain social approval
• link a study to support normative social influence

  Asch - participants conformed to avoid social rejection
• define informational social influence

  conforming to be right because we believe others have more knowledge
• which type of conformity links to informational social influence?

  internalisation
• explain informational social influence

  happens in ambiguous situations where people look to others for guidance
• link a study to support informational social influence

  Lucas et al - students more likely to conform on difficult maths questions
• weakness - NSI & ISI work together

  • not mutually exclusive
  • Asch found conformity dropped when anonymous (NSI) but increased when difficult (ISI)
  • challenges idea of functioning independently
• who proposed the two explanations of conformity?

  deutsch and gerard
• strength - research support for ISI

  • sherif
  • autokinetic effect found when in groups conformed to common estimate
  • lack real-world relevance
• strength - research support for NSI

  • asch
  • 37% conformed to avoid rejection
  • cultural differences