Social Influence
Conformity
Social Influence – Occurs when an Individual’s thoughts, feelings or actions are affected by
other people
Conformity – “a change in a person’s behaviour or opinion as a result of real or imagined
pressure from a person or a group of people” (Aronson)
, Types of Conformity
Compliance
This is when you go along with the crowd and publically agree with them. However,
privately you maintain your original views
This is more temporary
Internalisation
This occurs when people take on the views of others both publically and privately
Lasts longer and is more permanent
Identification
This occurs when an individual adopts the attitudes and behaviours of a group in order to
be accepted as a member of that group.
Has elements of both compliance and internalisation.
(Example: joining a gang and having to carry a knife as a norm to fit in. May internalise and continue to do so
because they believe they need to, or may just be showing compliance and not do so when not around the gang)
Explanations for conformity
Normative Social Influence
“The influence of other people that leads us to conform in order to be liked and accepted by
them,” (Aronson). The desire to be liked and fit in, and not be left out.
Has to do with normative pressure
Ambiguous - open to more than one
Linked to compliance
interpretation; not being obvious and clear
Usually in unambiguous situations
Informational Social Influence
“We conform because we believe that other’s interpretation of an ambiguous situation is
more accurate than ours and will help us choose the appropriate course of action”
(Aronson).
The desire to be right and conforming to fit in with the group because we want to be
correct
Linked to internalisation
Conformity
Social Influence – Occurs when an Individual’s thoughts, feelings or actions are affected by
other people
Conformity – “a change in a person’s behaviour or opinion as a result of real or imagined
pressure from a person or a group of people” (Aronson)
, Types of Conformity
Compliance
This is when you go along with the crowd and publically agree with them. However,
privately you maintain your original views
This is more temporary
Internalisation
This occurs when people take on the views of others both publically and privately
Lasts longer and is more permanent
Identification
This occurs when an individual adopts the attitudes and behaviours of a group in order to
be accepted as a member of that group.
Has elements of both compliance and internalisation.
(Example: joining a gang and having to carry a knife as a norm to fit in. May internalise and continue to do so
because they believe they need to, or may just be showing compliance and not do so when not around the gang)
Explanations for conformity
Normative Social Influence
“The influence of other people that leads us to conform in order to be liked and accepted by
them,” (Aronson). The desire to be liked and fit in, and not be left out.
Has to do with normative pressure
Ambiguous - open to more than one
Linked to compliance
interpretation; not being obvious and clear
Usually in unambiguous situations
Informational Social Influence
“We conform because we believe that other’s interpretation of an ambiguous situation is
more accurate than ours and will help us choose the appropriate course of action”
(Aronson).
The desire to be right and conforming to fit in with the group because we want to be
correct
Linked to internalisation
