explanations for conformity

Question 1

Morton deutsch and harold Gerald 1955

Answer 1

developed a two process theory , arguing that there are two main reasons people conform . based n two central human needs
- the right to be right isi
- the need to be liked nsi

Question 2

informative social influence

Answer 2

is about who has the better information , you or the rest of the group
individuals follow behaviour of group is because they want to be right
isi is a cognitive process because its to do with what you think and is more likely to happen in situations that are new to a person

Question 3

normative social influence

Answer 3

is about norms , what is normal behaviour for a social group
people don’t want to seem foolish and prefer to gain social approval rather than be rejected
nsi is an emotional response rather than a cognitive process . most likely to occur in situations with strangers
where you may feel covered about rejection . may also occur with people you know because we are concerned about the social approval from or friends .
stressful situations = more social support

Question 4

research support for isi
strength

Answer 4

Lucas et al 2006
asked students to give answers to mathematical problems that wee easy or more difficult , greater conformity to incorrect answers when they were difficult rather then easy.
- this shows people conform in situations where they feel they don’t know the answer , which is what isi explanation predicted .

Question 5

indvidual diffrences in nsi
weakness

Answer 5

some research show that nsi does not affect everyone’s behaviour in the same way .
people who are less concerned about being liked are less likely to conform to nsi
nAffiliators greater need for affiliation more likely to conform
McGhee and Teevan 1967
found that students high in need of affiliation were more likely to conform
- individual differences

Question 6

isi and nsi work together
weakness

Answer 6

idea of deutsch Anja Gerards two process is that behaviour is nsi or isi. however more often then not both processes are involved .
eg ascots line experiment , when a dissenter is introduced , it may reduce the power of nsi bc the dissenter provides social support . or may reduce the power of isi because their is an alternative source of info.
- doubt over isi and nsi as two process operating separately in conforming behaviour .

Question 7

research support for nsi

Answer 7

asch 1951
found the many of his participants went along with a clearly wrong answer just because other people did , and asked why. some participants said they let self concious giving the correct answer and were afraid of dissaproval , Asch repeated the study asking participants to right they answers down conformity fell to 12.5%

Question 8

individual differences in isi

Answer 8

isi does not affect everyone the same
asch 1955
found that students were less conformist 28% than other participants 37%