types & explanations

• What is one strength of NSI?

  Evidence supports it as an explanation of conformity
• Why did participants conform in Asch's study?

  They felt self-conscious and feared disapproval
• What happened to conformity when participants wrote answers down?

  Conformity fell to 12.5%
• Why did conformity decrease when answers were given privately?

  There was no normative group pressure
• What does ISI stand for?

  Informational Social Influence
• What did Todd Lucas et al. (2006) find about conformity?

  Participants conformed more to incorrect answers when problems were difficult
• Why did participants rely on given answers in difficult problems?

  The situation became ambiguous and unclear
• What does the study by Lucas et al. suggest about ISI?

  ISI is a valid explanation of conformity
• What is a counterpoint to NSI and ISI research?

  It is unclear which influence is at work
• How does a dissenting participant affect conformity?

  It may reduce the power of NSI or ISI
• Why is it hard to separate ISI and NSI?

  Both processes likely operate together
• What is a limitation of NSI?

  NSI does not predict conformity in every case
• Who are nAffiliators?


  People greatly concerned with being liked
• What did McGhee and Teevan (1967) find about nAffiliators?

  They were more likely to conform
• What does the study by McGhee and Teevan suggest about NSI?

  NSI varies among individuals
• What does the existence of individual differences imply about conformity theories?

  One general theory cannot fully explain conformity