conformity

• what are the explanations of conformity?

  normative social influence and informational social influence
• internalisation

  • A deep type of conformity where we take on the majority view because we accept it as correct
  • a person genuinely accepts the group norms
  • private as well as a public change of opinions/behaviour
  • change is usually permanent because attitudes have been internalised
  • the change in opinions/behaviour stays even when not with other group members 
• identification 

  • we conform to the opinions/behaviour of a group because there is something about that group we value
  • we want to identify with the group 
  • publicly change our opinions/behaviour to be accepted by the group, even if we don't privately agree with 
• compliance 

  • simply 'going along with others' in public
  • but privately not changing personal opinions and/or behaviour Compliance= superficial change
  • the behaviour or opinion stops as soon as group pressure stops and the group is monitoring us 
• informational social influence

  • who has the better information
  • occurs when theres some ambiguity
  • occurs in crisis situations where decisions have to be made quickly 
  • It leads to a permanent change in opinion/behaviour= internalisation
  • its a cognitive process 
  • we follow the behaviour of the majority= we want to be right
  • normally were uncertain about what behaviours or beliefs are right or wrong
• normative social influence

  • what is 'normal' or typical behaviour for a social group
  • occurs with people you know= you social approval of our friend
  • occurs in situations with strangers where you may feel concerned about rejection
  • It leads to a temporary change in opinions/behaviour= complaince
  • its emotional rather than a cognitive process
  • people prefer to gain social approval rather than be rejected
  • people dont want to be stupid
  • Norms regulate the behaviour of groups and individuals