Social influence
Explain what is meant by internalisation (3 marks)
Internalisation is a type of conformity in social influence where an individual
adopts the beliefs, values, or attitudes of a group because they genuinely believe
them to be correct. This results in a change in both outward behaviour and
internal beliefs, which persists even in the absence of the group. It is considered
the deepest level of conformity because the change is long-lasting and part of
the person’s own value.
Explain what is meant by identification (3 marks)
Identification is a type of conformity where an individual adopts the behaviours,
values or attitudes of a group because they want to be accepted or associated
with that group. This change in behaviour is often temporary and occurs only in
the presence of the group. Unlike internalisation, the person may not necessarily
adopt these beliefs privately, but they conform to fit in with the group
Explain what is meant by compliance (3 marks)
Compliance is a type of conformity where an individual changes their behaviour
in response to a request or social pressure from others but does not necessarily
change their private beliefs. The change is only temporary and only occurs in the
presence of the influencing group or person. Once the pressure is removed, the
individual is likely to revert to their original behaviour or beliefs.
Discuss explanations of conformity (16 marker)
, Social influence
AO1 – Conformity refers to the change in behaviour or beliefs as a result of
pressure from others. It is often explained through informational social influence
(ISI) and normative social influence (NSI). ISI occurs when an individual conforms
because they believe others have the correct information, especially in uncertain
situations. People turn to others to gain knowledge and understanding, which
leads them to adopt the group’s behaviour or beliefs. On the other hand, NSI is
based on the desire to be accepted or liked by others. People may conform to
group norms to avoid rejection or gain social approval, even if they do not
believe in the group’s behaviour or beliefs. Both forms of social influence explain
why individuals often adjust their actions to align with the expectations or
behaviours of others in a social context.
AO3 – Supporting evidence: A key strength of explanations of conformity is that
there is supporting evidence for both ISI and NSI. For example, Asch’s line study
provides support for normative social influence. Participants in Asch’s
experiment conformed to the incorrect majority view, even when they knew it
was wrong, because they wanted to be accepted. Additionally, Sherif’s
autokinetic effect study provides support for ISI, as participants in situations
looked to others for guidance, adjusting their answers to align with the group.
These studies show that both ISI and NSI can explain how and why people
conform in different contexts. However, the research does not appreciate
cultural differences therefore may not be able to generalise the whole
population.
AO3 – Practical applications: Another strength is that the explanations of
conformity have practical applications in real world contexts. For instance,
informational social influence can help explain why people conform to social
norms in contexts such as education or health behaviour. In the context of health
campaigns, people are often persuaded to adopt healthy behaviours because
they believe that others in their social group are doing so, reflecting ISI.
Similarly, NSI can explain conformity in marketing, where individuals purchase
products that are popular among their peers to gain social acceptance. Theses
practical applications show that the theory of conformity is relevant and useful
beyond the laboratory.
AO3 – Other factors: A significant weakness of the explanations of conformity is
that they do not fully account for individual differences or cultural/societal
reasons. Personality traits may affect how much a person conforms to social
influences. For example, research suggests that individuals with a high need for
social approval are more likely to conform due to NSI, while those with a high
internal locus of control are less likely to conform because they tend to rely on
their own judgment rather than others’ opinions. Therefore, conformity can be
affected by individual characteristics, making these explanations overly general
and not applicable to everyone.
Explain what is meant by internalisation (3 marks)
Internalisation is a type of conformity in social influence where an individual
adopts the beliefs, values, or attitudes of a group because they genuinely believe
them to be correct. This results in a change in both outward behaviour and
internal beliefs, which persists even in the absence of the group. It is considered
the deepest level of conformity because the change is long-lasting and part of
the person’s own value.
Explain what is meant by identification (3 marks)
Identification is a type of conformity where an individual adopts the behaviours,
values or attitudes of a group because they want to be accepted or associated
with that group. This change in behaviour is often temporary and occurs only in
the presence of the group. Unlike internalisation, the person may not necessarily
adopt these beliefs privately, but they conform to fit in with the group
Explain what is meant by compliance (3 marks)
Compliance is a type of conformity where an individual changes their behaviour
in response to a request or social pressure from others but does not necessarily
change their private beliefs. The change is only temporary and only occurs in the
presence of the influencing group or person. Once the pressure is removed, the
individual is likely to revert to their original behaviour or beliefs.
Discuss explanations of conformity (16 marker)
, Social influence
AO1 – Conformity refers to the change in behaviour or beliefs as a result of
pressure from others. It is often explained through informational social influence
(ISI) and normative social influence (NSI). ISI occurs when an individual conforms
because they believe others have the correct information, especially in uncertain
situations. People turn to others to gain knowledge and understanding, which
leads them to adopt the group’s behaviour or beliefs. On the other hand, NSI is
based on the desire to be accepted or liked by others. People may conform to
group norms to avoid rejection or gain social approval, even if they do not
believe in the group’s behaviour or beliefs. Both forms of social influence explain
why individuals often adjust their actions to align with the expectations or
behaviours of others in a social context.
AO3 – Supporting evidence: A key strength of explanations of conformity is that
there is supporting evidence for both ISI and NSI. For example, Asch’s line study
provides support for normative social influence. Participants in Asch’s
experiment conformed to the incorrect majority view, even when they knew it
was wrong, because they wanted to be accepted. Additionally, Sherif’s
autokinetic effect study provides support for ISI, as participants in situations
looked to others for guidance, adjusting their answers to align with the group.
These studies show that both ISI and NSI can explain how and why people
conform in different contexts. However, the research does not appreciate
cultural differences therefore may not be able to generalise the whole
population.
AO3 – Practical applications: Another strength is that the explanations of
conformity have practical applications in real world contexts. For instance,
informational social influence can help explain why people conform to social
norms in contexts such as education or health behaviour. In the context of health
campaigns, people are often persuaded to adopt healthy behaviours because
they believe that others in their social group are doing so, reflecting ISI.
Similarly, NSI can explain conformity in marketing, where individuals purchase
products that are popular among their peers to gain social acceptance. Theses
practical applications show that the theory of conformity is relevant and useful
beyond the laboratory.
AO3 – Other factors: A significant weakness of the explanations of conformity is
that they do not fully account for individual differences or cultural/societal
reasons. Personality traits may affect how much a person conforms to social
influences. For example, research suggests that individuals with a high need for
social approval are more likely to conform due to NSI, while those with a high
internal locus of control are less likely to conform because they tend to rely on
their own judgment rather than others’ opinions. Therefore, conformity can be
affected by individual characteristics, making these explanations overly general
and not applicable to everyone.
