types of conformity

• kelman suggested 3 types of conformity:

  • compliance
  • internalisation
  • identification
• compliance

  • the most superficial level of conformity.Because identifying with the majority is desirable,they change their views/actions to fit in with the reference group.This doesn’t result in a change in the person’s underlying attitude,only in the views and behaviours they express in public.
• internalisation

  • the deepest level of conformity.This is when a person genuinely accepts group norms and displays the same attitude both publicly and privately through opinions and behaviours.They examine their own beliefs in comparison to the reference group and may convince themselves that their views are wrong and the group’s views are right.
• identification

  • when someone conforms to the opinions/behaviour of a group because there is something about the group which they value.They identify with the group so want to be part of it.There is a public change to accepting the groups norm even though their private attitudes may differ.The individual accepts the attitudes and behaviours they are adopting as true and right(internalisation)but the purpose of adopting them is to be accepted as a member of the group(compliance).
• Each type of conformity has a particular set of motivating conditions.Compliance may occur if their prime motivation is to fit in with the rest of the group.Internalisation  may occur if their prime motivation is to find the most appropriate way of responding to a situation,then internalising the groups position may be seen as the most credible way to do this.
• explanations for conformity

  • informational social influence
  • normative influence
• informational social influence

  • occurs when an individual accepts information from others as evidence about reality.It is about who knows more about to behave in a certain situation.This is most likely to happen when a person is in a new,ambiguous situation,they may observe the behaviours of others who have more experiences than them and adopt these behaviours.Leads to internalisation.
• normative influence

  is a form of influence where an individual conforms with the expectations of the majority in order to gain approval and avoid rejection/social disapproval.The individual feels as if they are under surveillance by the group.Leads to compliance.