Explanations for conformity

Question 1

What are the 2 explanations for conformity?

Answer 1

Normative social influence (NSI)
Informational social influence (ISI)

Question 2

Who identified NSI and ISI and when did they do it?

Answer 2

Deutch and Gerrard in 1954

Question 3

What is normative social influence?

Answer 3

when we feel that we are a key member of a group- conforming because of the need to feel solidarity within the group- avoid alienation- argued NSIis most likely to explain conformity in situations where a person is worried that their response could have a negative impact on the group or make them look foolish- gain social approval- leads to compliance- based on emotion rather than cognition

Question 4

What are the strengths of NSI?

Answer 4

• supported by Asch’s research- obvious answer but 74% conformed admitting they did not want to stand out- easier to give an incorrect answer that they knew was wrong- reason was to fit in
• Deutch and Gerrard- variation of Asch’s study but emphasis on being part of a team and working as a group- reward for best 5 groups- sense of inclusion- twice as many errors- 7/15 said obligation to other members

Question 5

What is informational social influence?

Answer 5

When we feel that other group members must be correct- think others are giving the correct answer- conforming to be correct- cognitive process often leading to internalisation

Question 6

What are the strengths of ISI?

Answer 6

research to support- Baumeister et al (2012)- college students drove in the presence of another student (confederate)- told them to speed up or slow down- influenced even when they were later driving alone- felt the confederate knew better
Reserach from Lucas et al (2006)- given easy or difficult maths questions- greater conformity with the difficult problems- believed the others were more knowledgeable