Asch: Conformity

• What is a commonly accepted definition of conformity?

  A change in behavior or belief due to group pressure
• Why do people often conform to group behavior?

  To avoid social rejection or to fit in
• What are the three types of conformity according to Helman?

  • Compliance
  • Identification
  • Internalization
• What is compliance in terms of conformity?

  Changing behavior to avoid disapproval from others
• What motivates compliance?

  The desire for positive reactions from others
• How does compliance differ from internalization?

  Compliance is superficial; internalization is deep
• What is identification in conformity?

  Adopting group behaviors to strengthen social identity
• What drives identification in conformity?

  The desire to feel connected with a group
• What is internalization in conformity?

  Adopting group norms as one's own beliefs
• What motivates internalization?

  The desire for correctness and moral alignment
• How does internalization affect behavior when external pressures are removed?

  Beliefs and behaviors remain changed permanently
• What are the two explanations for conformity?

  Normative social influence and informational social influence
• What does normative social influence suggest?

  People conform to avoid social rejection
• How does informational social influence differ from normative social influence?

  ISI is driven by the desire to be correct
• In an emergency, how do people typically respond due to informational social influence?

  They look to others for guidance on actions
• What was the main finding of Ash's conformity study?

  75% of participants conformed at least once
• What role did Confederates play in Ash's study?

  They provided incorrect answers to test conformity
• What was the mean conformity rate in Ash's study?

  32%
• How did group size affect conformity in Ash's variations?

  Conformity increased with more Confederates
• What effect did having an ally have on conformity in Ash's study?

  It significantly reduced the conformity rate
• What happened when Ash increased the difficulty of the task?

  Conformity rates significantly increased
• What criticism did Perin and Spencer have regarding Ash's study?

  It lacks temporal validity for modern society
• How do collectivist societies differ from individualistic societies in terms of conformity?

  Collectivist societies are more conformist
• What is a potential issue with Ash's study regarding mundane realism?

  It lacks real-life applicability to conformity
• What is a dispositional explanation for conformity?

  Personality traits affecting likelihood to conform
• How can it be difficult to determine the cause of conformity in participants?

  Motivations may be unclear even to them
• What is the role of an internal locus of control in conformity?

  It decreases the likelihood of conformity
• What are the key features of normative social influence (NSI)?

  • Driven by the need for social acceptance
  • Results in compliance
  • Emotionally driven to avoid rejection
  • Lasts only as long as group influence is present
• What are the key features of informational social influence (ISI)?

  • Driven by the desire to be correct
  • Occurs in ambiguous situations
  • Individuals look to others for guidance
  • Can lead to lasting changes in beliefs
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of Ash's study on conformity?

  Strengths:

  • High control over variables
  • Standardized procedures enhance internal validity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Lacks temporal validity
  • Cultural bias in sample
  • Lacks mundane realism