Types and explanations for conformity

Question 1

Types of conformity A01

Answer 1

• Kelman (1958)
  Compliance occurs when individuals conform to a group’s actions and beliefs to gain approval or avoid disapproval. This often involves social comparison, where people adjust their behavior to fit in. Such conformity is viewed as desirable and can drive social change, though it only influences publicly expressed beliefs.
  Internalisation- Individuals conform to a group when they accept its beliefs. When exposed to others’ views, they closely examine the other group in a validation process to judge their own beliefs to see if they or the group is correct. If the group is trustworthy, this examination may lead to the individual accepting the group’s beliefs both publicly and privately.
  Identification - An individual may accept influence to be associated with a group, adopting its attitudes and behaviors to fit in. Identification includes elements of both compliance and internalisation, as individuals comply for validation and acceptance, while also believing the group’s views are right and true.

Question 2

Explanations for conformity A01-

Answer 2

• Normative social influence
  Compliance occurs when individuals go along with the majority without truly accepting their views. This is driven by humans’ fundamental need as a social species for social companionship and fear of rejection. For this to happen, the individual must feel under surveillance by the group, leading them to conform publicly and outwardly. These ideas may not be fully internalised or maintained over time.
  Informational SI- This is when individuals accept others’ information as evidence of reality, they seek both acceptance and reassurance that their views are correct. If objective tests are not possible, they rely on others’ opinions. This is more likely in ambiguous situations or when others are experts. This leads individuals to change their behaviour and beliefs to align with the group, a process of internalisation that affects both public and private views.

Question 3

Limitation of the the types of conformity A03-

Answer 3

• Difficult to distinguish between compliance and internalisation
  The relationship between compliance and internalisation is complex due to challenges in identifying when each occurs. For example, when someone publicly agrees with the majority but privately disagrees, it’s assumed to be compliance. However, this overlooks the possibility that the person may have previously internalised the group’s viewpoint, which has since dissipated privately due to forgetting or receiving new information that changes their mind