Types of conformity and explanations for conformity - A-Level Psychology
Conformity
A change in a person’s behaviour/opinions as a result of real or imagined pressure from a person or a group of people.
Kelman(1958) suggested that there are 3 types of conformity:
1)COMPLIANCE-the most superficial level of conformity.Because identifying with the majority is desirable,they change their views/actions to fit in with the reference group.This doesn’t result in a change in the person’s underlying attitude,only in the views and behaviours they express in public.
2)INTERNALISATION– the deepest level of conformity.This is when a person genuinely accepts group norms and displays the same attitude both publicly and privately through opinions and behaviours.They examine their own beliefs in comparison to the reference group and may convince themselves that their views are wrong and the group’s views are right.
3)IDENTIFICATION-when someone conforms to the opinions/behaviour of a group because there is something about the group which they value.They identify with the group so want to be part of it.There is a public change to accepting the groups norm even though their private attitudes may differ.The individual accepts the attitudes and behaviours they are adopting as true and right(internalisation)but the purpose of adopting them is to be accepted as a member of the group(compliance).
Each type of conformity has a particular set of motivating conditions.Compliance may occur if their prime motivation is to fit in with the rest of the group.Internalisation may occur if their prime motivation is to find the most appropriate way of responding to a situation,then internalising the groups position may be seen as the most credible way to do this.
Explanations for conformity:
- Informational social influence-(cognitive).occurs when an individual accepts information from others as evidence about reality.It is about who knows more about to behave in a certain situation.This is most likely to happen when a person is in a new,ambiguous situation,they may observe the behaviours of others who have more experiences than them and adopt these behaviours.Leads to internalisation.
- Normative social influence-(emotional)is a form of influence where an individual conforms with the expectations of the majority in order to gain approval and avoid rejection/social disapproval.The individual feels as if they are under surveillance by the group.Leads to compliance.
Evaluation:
Difficulties in distinguishing between compliance and internalisation-it is hard to measure public compliance and private acceptance.For example,a person may agree with the rest of the group so subsequently accept the position as their own.
Research support for normative influence-Linkenbach and Perkins found that adolescents exposed to the simple message that the majority of their age peers did not smoke were subsequently less likely to take up smoking.This shows how people shape their behaviour out of a desire to fit in with their reference group.Shultz et al(2008) found that when hotel guests where exposed to the normative message that 75% of guests reuse their towels each day they reduced their own towel usage by 25%.
Conformity is the act of adjusting one’s behavior or attitudes to match the perceived social norms or expectations of a group. It is a form of social influence that can occur both explicitly (through direct pressure) or implicitly (through observation and imitation).
There are two main types of conformity: normative conformity and informational conformity. Normative conformity occurs when an individual conforms to the group’s social norms to avoid rejection or gain acceptance, while informational conformity occurs when an individual adopts the group’s beliefs or behavior because they believe the group has accurate information.
Several factors can influence conformity, including group size, unanimity, group cohesion, status, and culture. For example, larger groups tend to elicit more conformity than smaller groups, and groups that are highly cohesive or have a high status can also increase conformity.
Social influence is the broader concept that encompasses conformity, as well as other forms of social pressure, such as obedience and compliance. Conformity is a specific type of social influence that involves adjusting one’s behavior to match the expectations of a group.
Conformity can have both positive and negative impacts on behavior. On the one hand, it can help individuals fit in with a group and create a sense of belonging. On the other hand, it can also lead to groupthink, in which the desire for consensus and harmony can override critical thinking and independent judgment.
There are several strategies individuals can use to resist conformity, including asserting independence, seeking out dissenting opinions, and maintaining a strong sense of self-esteem and identity. Additionally, being aware of the potential negative effects of conformity can help individuals make more informed decisions about whether or not to conform.
Understanding conformity can be useful in a variety of contexts, from education and business to politics and social justice. By recognizing the power of social influence and the potential for conformity to shape behavior, individuals can make more informed decisions about how to interact with groups and navigate social situations.
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