Conformity: Types and explanations

• Who suggested the three types of conformity?

  Herbert Kelman
• What is internalisation in conformity?

  Genuine acceptance of group norms
• What happens to opinions after internalisation occurs?

  They become part of the person's thinking
• What is identification in conformity?

  Changing opinions to fit in with a valued group
• How does compliance differ from internalisation?

  Compliance is superficial, internalisation is permanent
• What are the two main reasons people conform according to Deutsch and Gerard?

  Need to be right and need to be liked
• What does informational social influence (ISI) involve?

  Following the group to be correct
• In what situations is ISI most likely to occur?

  New or ambiguous situations
• What is normative social influence (NSI) about?

  Conforming to what is typical behavior
• What type of process is NSI?

  Emotional process
• When is NSI likely to occur?

  In situations with strangers or friends
• What did Asch's research (1951) demonstrate about NSI?

  Conformity decreases when answers are private
• What did Lucas et al. (2006) find regarding ISI?

  Participants conformed more on difficult problems
• What is a counterpoint regarding NSI and ISI in research studies?

  It's unclear which influence is at work
• What are nAffiliators?

  People with a strong need for affiliation
• What did McGhee and Teevan (1967) find about nAffiliators?

  They are more likely to conform
• Why is the distinction between NSI and ISI considered not useful?

  It's hard to determine which is operating
• How does Asch's research demonstrate both NSI and ISI?

  Unanimous groups show both pressures
• What are the three types of conformity according to Herbert Kelman?

  • Internalisation
  • Identification
  • Compliance
• What are the key features of informational social influence (ISI)?

  • Based on the need to be right
  • Cognitive process
  • Leads to internalisation
  • Occurs in new or ambiguous situations
• What are the key features of normative social influence (NSI)?

  • Based on the need to be liked
  • Emotional process
  • Leads to compliance
  • Occurs in situations with social pressure
• What are the strengths of NSI and ISI as explanations for conformity?

  • Research support for both theories
  • NSI explains social approval need
  • ISI explains uncertainty in behavior
• What are the limitations of NSI and ISI as explanations for conformity?

  • Difficulty in separating NSI and ISI
  • Individual differences in conformity
  • Not all situations fit the theories
• What is internalisation in conformity?

  A deep type of conformity accepting majority view
• How does internalisation affect behavior?

  It leads to permanent change even when alone
• What is identification in conformity?

  A moderate type of conformity valuing group membership
• Why do people identify with a group?

  They value the group and want to belong
• What is compliance in conformity?

  A superficial and temporary type of conformity
• How long does compliance last?

  Only as long as the group is monitoring
• What is informational social influence (ISI)?

  Agreeing with majority because we believe it's correct
• What motivates ISI?

  The desire to be correct in our beliefs
• What is normative social influence (NSI)?

  Agreeing with majority to gain social approval
• What drives people to conform through NSI?

  The need to be liked and accepted socially
• How do ISI and NSI differ in motivation?

  ISI is about correctness, NSI is about approval
• What are the key types of conformity?

  • Internalisation: Deep, permanent change
  • Identification: Moderate, group-valued change
  • Compliance: Superficial, temporary change
• What are the explanations for conformity?

  • Informational Social Influence (ISI): Agreeing for correctness
  • Normative Social Influence (NSI): Agreeing for social approval
• What is the effect of social norms on behavior?

  They regulate how people behave emotionally
• How does social support influence conformity?

  It can reduce conformity by providing alternatives
• What is the relationship between social support and conformity?

  Social support can decrease conformity levels
• Who proposed the theories of conformity discussed?

  Morton Deutsch