Social Influence

- Type of conformity -

Types of conformity 

ü Compliance – views of the group would be private but just agrees with the group. An explanation would be Normative social influence // disagrees with the group privately agrees publicly 

ü Identification – identifies with some of the groups beliefs and views although does not agree with all the views of the group.

ü Internalisation – the individual’s views and beliefs are the same as the groups views and beliefs. Agrees with the group both publicly and privately.

Conformity explanation:

ü Normative social influence = An explanation for conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we want to be accepted, gain social approval and be liked. // May lead to compliance 

ü Information social influence = An explanation of conformity that says we agree with the opinion of the majority because we believe it is correct. We accept we want to be correct. 

Evaluation =

ü Supportive evidence of Informational social influence. Lucas et al 2006 asked students to give an answer for a mathematical problem. Greater conformity in incorrect answers given when they were difficult rather than the easier ones. This was true for those who rated their mathematical skills as poor. Thus, showing that people conform in situations where they feel they don’t know the answer. 

×     Individual differences in Normative social influence. McGhee and Teevan 1967 found that students high in need of affiliation were more likely to conform. 

nAffiliators = people who less concerned with being liked are less affected by NSI than those who care about being liked.