Conformity - Explanations of Conformity

Question 1

What is the dual-process dependency model?

Answer 1

A model that explains majority influence through informational and normative social influence

Question 2

What is Informational Social Influence (ISI)?

Answer 2

A cognitive process where we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct

Question 3

What situations might lead to Informational Social Influence?

Answer 3

• Situations that are new to a person
• Some ambiguity
• In crisis situations
• When one person (or group) is regarded as an expert

Question 4

What is Normative Social Influence (NSI)?

Answer 4

An emotional process where we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted

Question 5

What situations might lead to Normative Social Influence?

Answer 5

• Situations with strangers
• Occur with people you know
• Pronounced in stressful situations

Question 6

Fill in the blank: NSI involves public and private views that differ, leading to _______.

Answer 6

Compliance

Question 7

What type of conformity is displayed when a person publicly changes their behaviour/view but privately disagrees?

Answer 7

Compliance

Question 8

What type of conformity is demonstrated by someone who has truly adopted the beliefs of a group?

Answer 8

Internalisation

Question 9

What type of conformity is shown when someone wants to fit in with a group but does not genuinely agree with them?

Answer 9

Identification

Question 10

What is one evaluation FOR ISI?

Answer 10

Lucas et al. (2006): Students asked to answer math Qs, Qs differed in difficulty; Results suggest greater conformity to difficult answers that were incorrect than easy answers that were incorrect, people with low self-efficacy values (confidence and dispositional factors) conform more

Question 11

What is one evaluation FOR NSI?

Answer 11

Asch’s “Three Lines” Experiment (1951): Suggests many participants conformed because they were self conscious and didn’t want to be disapproved, when using written answers, conformity dropped to 12.5%

Question 12

What is one evaluation AGAINST NSI?

Answer 12

McGhee & Teevan (1967): Suggests NAffiliators are more likely to conform, those who don’t care for acceptance are less likely to be affected by NSI

Question 13

What are NAffiliators?

Answer 13

People who are more concerned about being liked/affiliation

Question 14

What supports ISI+NSI together?

Answer 14

Asch’s “Three Lines” Experiment (1951): Conformity reduced with a dissenter: social support (NSI) and an alternate source of information (ISI)