Evaluation

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    Created by
    Beau Mallett

    Cards (5)

    • Strength of ISI (supporting study)

      Lucas et al. (2006), shows that people conform in situations where they feel they don't know the answer (ISI). We look to others and assume they know better than us and must be right.
    • Limitation of ISI (individual differences)

      Asch (1955) found that students were less conformist (28%) than other participants (37%). Perrin and Spencer's (1980) also found less conformity in students (they were engineering students, they were confident about precision). People who are knowledgeable and/or are more confident are less influenced by the apparently 'right' view of the majority. Therefore there are differences in how individuals respond to ISI.
    • Limitation of ISI and NSI (the 'two-process' approach is oversimplified)

      Behaviour is due to neither ISI nor NSI. However, conformity was reduced when there was a dissenting partner in the Asch experiment. This dissenter may reduce the power of NSI (by providing social support) or reduce the power of ISI (because they are an alternative source of information). Therefore it isn't always possible to know whether NSI or ISI is at work. This questions the view of NSI and ISI as operating independently in conforming behaviour.
    • Strength of NSI (supporting study)

      Asch (1951) asked participants to explain why they agreed with the wrong answer. Some said they felt self-conscious giving the right answer and were afraid of disapproval. When Asch asked participants to write down their answers, conformity dropped to 12.5%. This supports the participants' own reports that they were conforming because of NSI.
    • Limitation of NSI (individual differences)

      People who care more about being liked are more affected by NSI. They are nAffiliators - people who have a greater need for social relationships. McGhee and Teevan (1967) found that students who were nAffiliators were more likely to conform. The desire to be liked underlies conformity for some people more than others. One general theory doesn't cover the fact that there are differences.