Conformity Flashcards
What is conformity?
A change in behaviour as a result of real or imagined group pressure.
What are the three types of conformity?
Compliance
Identification
Internalisation
What is the definition of compliance?
Compliance is a change in public behaviour but private beliefs do not change. It is short term and fragile. Usually a result of normative social influence.
What is the definition of identification?
Identification is a change in public behaviour and private beliefs but only when in the presence of a particular group. This is temporary and will stop if the person leaves the group. Usually a result of normative social influence.
What is the definition of internalisation?
Internalisation is when a person changes their public behaviour and private beliefs. This is long term and will continue without the presence of a group. Usually a result of informational social influence.
What is normative social influence?
When a person conforms in order to be liked and accepted by others.
What is informational social influence?
When a person conforms because they want to be correct and believe someone else knows more than they do.
(Jenness’ study)
What are the three categories of factors that influence how likely we are to conform?
Individual
Situational
Cultural
What individual factors affect conformity?
Gender
Self esteem
Age
How does gender influence conformity?
Crutchfeild (1955) suggested that women comply more readily than men.
Possibly because men are more comfortable maintaining their independence.
How does self-esteem influence conformity?
Santee and Maslach (1982) found people who have high self esteem were less likely to conform. Suggests people with low self esteem, who hold a lower value of themselves, are more likely to conform.
How does age influence conformity?
Research suggests that conformity levels remain the same between 10-14. Increases between 14-18, then remains steady.
How does group size affect conformity?
Asch found that any more than 7 participants reduced conformity. Most conformity was seen with 3 participants with 33.3%.
What situational factors influence conformity?
Groups size
Group unanimity
Task difficulty
How does group unanimity affect conformity?
If a group is unanimous people are more likely to conform. Asch found conformity dropped from 32% to 5% when the group was not unanimous.
