Explanations for conformity Flashcards
Social Influence (6 cards)
What are the 2 explanations for conformity?
Normative social influence (NSI)
Informational social influence (ISI)
Who identified NSI and ISI and when did they do it?
Deutch and Gerrard in 1954
What is normative social influence?
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
What are the strengths of NSI?
- 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
What is informational social influence?
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
What are the strengths of ISI?
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