types + explanations of conformity

• conformity:

  • tendency to adopt behaviours, attitudes + values of a group
• 3 types of conformity:

  • compliance
  • internalisation
  • identification
• compliance definition:

  • going along with others to gain approval/ avoid dissaproval
• compliance:

  • most superficial/shallow type of conformity - publically conform but privately disagree
• internalisation definition:

  • going along with others because you have accepted their point of view because it is consistent with your own
• internalisation:

  • deepest level of conformity, permanent change which becomes part of individuals own thinking + beliefs
• identification definition:

  • going along with others because you have accepted their own point of view but only due to desire to be like them
• identification:

  • elements of both compliance + internalisation - accept attitudes + behaviours theyre adopting as right
  • but, purpose of adopting them is to be accepted as member of group
• normative social influence:

  • associated with compliance + internalisation
  • person conforms to be accepted + feel part of group - socially rewarding or avoiding social rejection
  • occurs around strangers or friends when concerned about social approval or stressful situations
• informational social influence:

  • associated with internalisation - people change private + public views on a long term basis
  • person conforms to be right - uncertain about what is right or wrong
  • ambiguous + crisis situations - presence of expert
• Lucas et al (ISI)

  • asked students to answer maths problems
  • greater conformity when question was more difficult - poor ability students more likely to conform
• Schultz et al (NSI):

  • wanted people to save energy by using less bath towels
  • printed resources stating guests were using less towels = greater conformity
• EVALUATION: research support (Asch)

  • asked to decide when 2 lines = same length - many went along with wrong answers of group
  • post experimental interviews - changed answer to avoid disapproval, variation (asked to write down answers) - conformity fell 12.5% + fear of rejection
  • compliance occurred - people conformed to fit in + supports NSI
• EVALUATION: individual differences (NSI doesnt predict conformity)

  • naffiliators greatly concerned with being liked, more likely to conform (McGhee + Teevan)
  • Perrin + Spencer - engineering students, found lower conformity rates than Asch
  • NSI underlies conformity for some people more than others - cant be explained by one theory of situational pressure