Conformity

• Define conformity

  When we change our attitude or behaviour to fit into group expectations or societal norms. Changing in response to real or imagined group/majority pressure and influence
• What are the three types of conformity?

  Compliance, identification, and internalization.
• Define compliance

  A person's underlying attitude doesn't change but their public behaviour and views do change to fit the norms
• Define identification

  Valuing something about a group and identifying with and wanting to be a part of it. They accept the behaviours as right but only for the aim of being part of the group
• Define internalisation

  When a person accepts the norms and displays the same attitude publicly and privately. They are convinced the group's views are correct and their own are wrong.
• Explain Asch's method

  123 males took part

  7 people were looking at a display

  They were asked which of the three lines was the same length as the stimulus

  All participants but one were confederates

  The confederates all gave the same but the wrong answer
• Describe the results of Asch's line study

  Participants conformed in 32% of trials overall

  75% of participants conformed on at least one occasion
• What are the three situational variables affecting conformity?

  Difficulty of task, unanimity, group size
• How does difficulty of task affect conformity?

  Increases conformity
• How does unanimity affect conformity?

  Decreases conformity
• How does group size affect conformity?

  Initially increases conformity, then no effect
• Explain Sherif's method

  Investigated the autokinetic effect

  A spot of light appears to move

  Participants were asked to make individual estimates of how far the light moved

  They were then tested in groups of three and asked for their estimate
• Describe Sherif's results

  Over a number of trials, groups moved to a common estimate

  Sherif said this showed people always tend to conform
• What are the two explanations for conformity?

  Normative social influence

  Informative social influence
• Describe normative social influence

  Motivation = to be liked, fearing rejection, conforming for emotional reasons

  Situations = unambiguous

  Evidence = Asch (1951), conformed to avoid embarrassment

  Type of conformity = compliance
• Describe informative social influence

  Motivation = to get guidance in order to be correct, conform for cognitive reasons

  Situations = ambiguous, uncertain

  Evidence = Sherif (1935), participants converged results

  Type of conformity = internalisation
• What is meant by conformity to social roles?

  When an individual adopts a particular behaviour and belief, while in a particular social situation. This represents identification as public and private behaviour changes
• Define deindividuation

  Psychological state which promotes a change in normal behaviour as a result of loss of personal identity
• Explain Zimbardo's method for the Stanford Prison Experiment

  -Mock prison in basement of Stanford university

  -Volunteer sampling - 24 people

  -Randomly allocated to the role of prisoner or guard

  -Prisoners experienced deindividuation - strip searched and deloused

  -Guards experienced deindividuation - wear reflective glasses

  -Guards had full control over prisoners
• Describe Zimbardo's findings

  The study was cut short after 6 days

  Prisoner went on hunger strike

  Guards grew tyrannical and abusive

  Prisoners had extreme reactions initially then accepted it and became passive