Types of Conformity

• three types of conformity

  • compliance
  • internalisation
  • identification
• compliance 


  a superficial and temporary type of conformity- we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it
• internalisation 


  a deep type of conformity- we take on the majority view because the content of the attitude/behaviour is consistent with our own value system
• identification 


  a moderate type of conformity- we take on the majority view because we want to be associated with the group as we value them in some way, even though we don’t necessarily agree with everything they believe
• two explanations for conformity

  1. normative social influence (NSI)- people conform because they want to be accepted
  2. informational social influence (ISI)- people conform because they want to be right