Conformity - types & definitions

Question 1

Define conformity?

Answer 1

• tendency for a person to change behaviour/beliefs in response to pressure from other people in a group

Question 2

What are the 3 types of conformity?

Answer 2

1. Compliance
2. Identification
3. Internalisation

Question 3

Define compliance?
Give a social example?

Answer 3

• Individual changes public (not private) behaviour/beliefs to conform to a group
• superficial conformity
• short term change lasting as long as the person is in the group
• Political conversation, agreeing with the group even though you don’t actually agree

Question 4

Define Identification?
Give a social example?

Answer 4

• Individual changes their public views to match a group (not necessarily private)
• they value the group & want to be a member
• Change lasts as long as the group does
• Public behaviour towards a football club because you want to be a fan of that club

Question 5

Define Internalisation?
Give a social example?

Answer 5

• Individual changes both public & private views to match the group
• Group has fully changed the persons mind
• Radicalisation/veganism