Conformity Flashcards
What is social influence?
The influence of other people on our everyday thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
To what does the term ‘compliance’ refer?
To publicly acting (via behaviour and expressed attitudes) according to social pressure, while privately disagreeing.
To what does the term ‘conformity’ refer?
To deep-seated, private, and enduring changes in behaviour and attitudes due to group pressure.
To what does the term ‘obedience’ refer?
To the undertaking of orders demanded by a person invested with authority.
What type of creatures are humans?
Social creatures
On what does the existence of cultures (as a collection of beliefs and behaviours) depend?
On conformity.
What reflects the fact that humans are conformist in nature?
Our following of the social conventions or norms of the group(s) in which we exist.
What is the standpoint of Western cultures on conformity?
That it is important not to conform, and rather that individuals should be celebrated.
How is conformity viewed by Western cultures?
As a negative concept associated with the inability to stick up for oneself and the issue of one being overly obedient to authority.
Which myth do Western cultures buy into?
The myth of the “lone genius”.
What is the standpoint of collectivist cultures on conformity?
That it is a positive concept that is associated with positive feelings, harmony and social connection.
What does Deutsch and Gerald’s (1955) two-process theory argue?
That there are two main reasons that individuals conform, based on two core human needs.
What are the two types of conformity according to Deutsch and Gerald’s (1955) two-process theory?
- Informational social influence (ISI)
- Normative social influence (NSI)
To what does the term ‘informational social influence’ refer?
To conformity resulting from a desire to be accurate.
To what does the term ‘normative social influence’ refer?
To conformity resulting from a desire to fit in and avoid social disapproval.