Factors affecting conformity to majority influence

Question 1

Conformity

Answer 1

Matching the behaviour and beliefs of others in order to fit in or because we dont know how to behave in an unusual situation

Question 2

Compliance

Answer 2

Going along with majority even though you privately disagree

Question 3

Normative social influence

Answer 3

Compliance because of the need to fit into a group

Question 4

Internalisation

Answer 4

Going along with the majority because we do not know how to behave in a situation- we adopt the beliefs of the group

Question 5

Informational social influence

Answer 5

The change in opinions or behaviour that occurs when we conform to people who have accurate information

Question 6

Identification

Answer 6

Temporarily adopting the behaviours of a role model or group

Question 7

Asch (1951, 1955) procedure

Answer 7

Tested conformity by showing participants two white large cards at a time. One card was a standard line and the other was three comparison lines. One of the comparison lines matched the standard line. Participants were asked which of the lines matched the standard. Confederates (Actors for the study) were asked to give the wrong answer.

Question 8

Asch (1951, 1955) findings

Answer 8

Approximately 32% of the participants conformed to the wrong answer

Question 9

Situational factors affecting conformity

Answer 9

Size of majority
Unanimity of majority
Task difficulty/ ambiguity

Question 10

Size of majority

Answer 10

When there was one confederate in Asch’s study, conformity was 3%
When there was 2, conformity was 13%
The optimal number for majority influence appears to be 3-4 people (32% conformity)

Question 11

Unanimity of majority

Answer 11

In Asch’s study, if most confederates picked the wrong line but one picked the right line, the participant was less likely to conform

Question 12

Task difficulty/ambiguity

Answer 12

In Asch’s study, when all three lines were similar to the standard line, he found a higher rate of conformity as the task was more ambiguous

Question 13

Personality factor

Answer 13

Locus of control

Question 14

What is locus of control

Answer 14

Locus of control is the part of our personality that refers to how much control we believe we have over our own behaviour

Question 15

External locus of control

Answer 15

Someone with an external locus of control is more likely to obey because they are less likely to take responsibility for their own actions and blame it on someone else

Question 16

Internal locus of control

Answer 16

Someone with an Internal locus of control is less likely to obey and are more independent and likely to take responsibility for their actions