Conformity

• Compliance


  Superficial agreement with the group - agreeing in public but secretly holding a different view. It is temporary as conformity only exists as long as the group is present.
• Identification


  Conformity to a group because we identify with it and want to be associated with it. We are prepared to change our views to be part of the group. Can be temporary.
• Internalisation


  Conforming to a group because you accept its norms. Agree publically and privately. Permanent change which continues even when the group isn't present.
• Normative social influence


  Agreeing with the majority because we want to be liked and not rejected. Also want to avoid embarrassment and conflict. This is linked to compliance - agree publically not privately.
• Informational social influence


  Agreeing with the majority because we want to be right. This occurs in situations where the answer is not clear or is new to us, we look to others for information on how to act because we think they have superior knowledge to us. This is linked to internalisation - agree publically and privately.
• Supporting evidence for normative social influence - Asch
• Supporting evidence for informational social influence - Jenness bean study
• Evaluation of research into conformity

  Affected by individual differences

  The type of task can influence conformity