Conformity Topic Test

Conformity is a type of social influence, defined as a change in belief or behaviour, in response to real or imagined ______ ________ from a social group.

Answer explanation

Conformity is a key word you need to know for the exam.

Definition:

Conformity is a type of social influence, defined as a change in belief or behaviour, in response to real or imagined social pressure from a social group.

What are the different types of conformity?

• Compliance

• Obedience

• Internalisation

• Cognitive

• Identification

Answer explanation

There are 3 types of conformity that you need to know:

1 - Compliance

2 - Identification

3 - Internalisation

Internalisation is a temporary change in public and private behaviour.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Compliance is a SHORT TERM change in public behaviour, but NO CHANGE in private beliefs.

Identification is a SHORT TERM change in public behaviour AND private beliefs, but ONLY in the presence of a social group.

Internalisation is a LONG TERM change in public behaviour AND private beliefs, this continues EVEN WITHOUT the presence of a social group.

Which of the following are explanations of conformity?

• Internal Social Influence (ISI)

• Normative Social Influence (NSI)

• Informative Social Influence (ISI)

• Complicit Social Influence (CSI)

• Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Answer explanation

There are 2 explanations of conformity that you need to know for the exam:

1 - Normative Social Influence (NSI)

2 - Informational Social Influence (ISI)

Normative Social Influence is the desire to be _____.

Answer explanation

Normative Social Influence (NSI) is the desire to be liked.

This explanation of conformity is about social approval and is usually in the presence of strangers.

People conform in these situations as a way of fitting in with a social group, because they want to be accepted and avoid rejection.

What was Asch's study about?

• Line Experiment

• Minority Influence

• Ambiguous Situations

• Unambiguous Situations

• Majority Influence

Answer explanation

Asch (1951) conducted a study on conformity to social pressures from a majority.

Asch used an unambiguous line judgement task to test this.

The task was unambiguous as the correct answer was always obvious.

Who took part in Asch's study?

• 3 confederates and 3 naive participants

• All confederates and 1 naive participant

• 2 naive participants and 4 confederates

• 4 naive participants and 2 confederates

Answer explanation

Asch's sample consisted of:

• - 50 American male students

• - Opportunity sample

• - Groups of 7-9

• - Groups made up of confederates and only one naive PP

Which of the following formed part of Asch's procedure?

• 18 trials (12 critical trials)

• Target line vs Comparison lines

• • Participants asked to answer verbally

• Participants wrote down their answers

Answer explanation

Asch's study procedure involved the following:

• - 18 trials (12 critical trials)

• - Target line vs Comparison line

• - Naive PP sat second to last 

• - PPs asked to verbally identify their answers

• - Correct answer was always obvious

• On the first few trials, confederates provided the correct answer, after which they then provided the wrong answer on the critical trials

Results of Asch's study:

• Participants conformed on 36.8% of the critical trials

• 25% never conformed

75% conformed at least once

• True

• False

Answer explanation

The results of Asch's study were:

• Participants conformed on 36.8% of the critical trials

• 25% never conformed

75% conformed at least once

Which of the following are variations Asch used in his variation study?

• Group Size

• Unanimity

• Location

• Proximity

• Task Difficulty

Answer explanation

Variation 1 : Group Size (1-15 confederates)

1 confederate = conformed on 3% of the critical trials.

2 confederates = conformed on 12.8% of the critical trials.

3 confederates = conformed on 32% of the critical trials (highest)

15 confederates = conformity rates dropped

Variation 2: Unanimity

Introduced one confederate who sometimes disagreed with the other confederates.

Conformity dropped to 5%.

Breaking the group’s unanimity = reduced conformity.

Variation 3: Task Difficulty

Increased difficulty.

Comparison lines more similar to the stimulus line.

Conformity increased.