Conformity: types and explanations

• Internalisation (type)


  A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct. It leads to a far-reaching and permanent change in behaviour, even when the group is absent
• Identification (type)


  A moderate type of conformity where we act in the same way as the group because we value it and want to be part of it. But we don't necessarily agree with everything the group/majority believes
• Compliance (type)


  A superficial and temporary type of of conformity where we outwardly go along with the majority view, but privately disagree with it. The change in our behaviour only lasts as long as the group is monitoring us.
• Informational social influence (ISI explanations)


  An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct as well. This may lead to internalisation
• Normative social influence (NSI explanation)


  An explanation of conformity that says we agree with opinion of the majority because we want to gain social approval and be liked. This may lead to compliance.
• Evaluation (Research support for NSI)

  Strength

  • There is evidence to support that NSI is an explanation of conformity
  • Asch interviewed his participants some said that they conformed because they felt self-conscious giving the correct answer and were afraid of disapproval.
  • When answers were written down conformity fell to 12.5%
• Evaluation (Research support for ISI)

  Strength

  • Evidence to support ISI from the study by Lucas et al (2006)
  • Lucas found that participants conformed more often to incorrect answers they were given when the task was more difficult.
  • This shows that ISI is a valid explanation for conformity because the results are what ISI would predict
• Counter point

  • it is unclear whether it is ISI or NSI at work in research studies
  • Therefore, it is hard to separate ISI and NSI and both processes probably operate together in most real-world conformity situations
• Evaluation (individual differences in NSI)

  Limitation

  • NSI does not predict conformity in every case
  • Paul McGhee and Richard Teevan found that students who were nAffiliators (have a strong need for affiliation i.e. they want to relate to other people) were more likely to conform.
  • This shows that NSI underlies conformity for some people more than it does for others.