In A Level Psychology, understanding social behaviours like conformity is crucial. Conformity reveals how individuals change their behaviours, attitudes, or beliefs to align with others, offering insights into group dynamics and societal influence. Studying conformity helps students grasp why people often follow group norms and the factors driving such changes. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the types of conformity, breaking down complex concepts into clear explanations to help students prepare for exams and deepen their understanding of social psychology.
What is Conformity?
Conformity is the act of changing one’s behaviour, attitudes, or beliefs to match those of a group. People conform for various reasons, from wanting social approval to genuinely adopting group beliefs. Conformity plays a fundamental role in maintaining social order, but it also demonstrates how social pressure can influence individuals’ actions. Psychologists have identified three main types of conformity: compliance, internalisation, and identification. Each type reflects a different level of influence and personal acceptance of group norms.
There are 3 Types of Conformity:
1. Compliance
Compliance is the most superficial form of conformity, where an individual changes their outward behaviour to align with a group while internally maintaining their own beliefs. In compliance, the change is typically temporary and only lasts while under group pressure. People comply to avoid rejection or gain social approval, but they don’t actually agree with the group’s views. For example, a student might laugh at a joke they don’t find funny because their friends are laughing, but privately, they don’t find it amusing.
- Example: Asch’s conformity experiment famously demonstrated compliance. In the experiment, participants conformed to the group’s incorrect answer to a simple task, even though they knew it was wrong, because they wanted to avoid standing out.
2. Internalisation
Internalisation is a deeper form of conformity where an individual adopts the group’s beliefs or behaviors both publicly and privately. Unlike compliance, internalisation reflects a true acceptance of the group’s values or beliefs. When someone internalises, they believe the group’s perspective is accurate and align their actions accordingly, even when the group is not present. This type of conformity is more lasting and often occurs when the group’s influence is perceived as credible or knowledgeable.
- Example: An individual may begin recycling after being influenced by friends who advocate for environmental protection. Over time, they genuinely believe in the importance of recycling, and their behaviour becomes a lasting change, even outside the influence of their friends.
3. Identification
Identification is a type of conformity where an individual changes their behaviour to be accepted by a group they admire or feel emotionally connected to, though the change may not be permanent. In identification, people adopt the group’s behaviour because they value their connection to the group or see it as part of their identity. However, this acceptance is usually dependent on the presence of the group. Once the group influence is removed, individuals may revert to their original beliefs or behaviours.
- Example: A person might adopt a particular fashion style or attitude while part of a close-knit social group, such as a sports team, but may no longer follow this style once they leave the group.
Understanding these types of conformity equips A-Level Psychology students with a clearer view of how and why people align with groups in different social contexts. By exploring compliance, internalisation, and identification, students gain insight into the diverse ways social influence can shape individual actions and beliefs, which is invaluable for exam success and a deeper understanding of human behaviour.
Primary Explanations of Conformity
After clarifying types of conformity, it is time to learn about explanations. Conformity refers to the act of adjusting one’s behaviours, attitudes, or beliefs to align with the standards of a group. It occurs when individuals feel pressure, whether real or imagined, to adhere to certain social norms. This pressure can arise from direct interactions with others or simply from the desire to belong.
Psychologists recognize two primary explanations for why people conform: Informational Social Influence (ISI) and Normative Social Influence (NSI).
Both highlight distinct motivations driving individuals to match group expectations but differ in how they impact behavior and thought.
Informational Social Influence (ISI)
Informational Social Influence occurs when individuals conform because they believe others have more accurate information, particularly in situations where they feel uncertain or lack knowledge. Here, the desire to be right drives conformity, leading people to adopt the group’s viewpoint as their own because they trust the group’s judgement over their own.
ISI often arises in ambiguous or complex situations where there is no clear answer. People look to others as a source of information, thinking, “If everyone else thinks this is correct, then it must be.” This type of influence is likely to result in internalisation (genuine belief change), as individuals accept the group’s views and carry them forward even when the group isn’t present.
- Example: If a person is unsure about the safety protocols during an emergency, they may follow what others are doing, assuming the group has a better understanding of the situation.
- Key Study: Sherif’s autokinetic effect experiment is a classic example of ISI.
Normative Social Influence (NSI)
Normative Social Influence is conformity driven by the desire to be liked, accepted, or avoid social rejection. Rather than a need for accuracy, NSI is motivated by the need for social approval. People conform in these situations because they want to fit in with the group and avoid standing out, even if they privately disagree with the group’s viewpoint.
NSI typically leads to compliance, where an individual outwardly conforms to group norms while privately holding a different view. This type of conformity is often temporary and exists only in the presence of the group or social pressure, as individuals might revert to their original beliefs when alone.
- Example: A student might agree with their friends’ opinions on a movie to avoid being the “odd one out,” despite actually disliking the film.
- Key Study: Asch’s line judgment experiment demonstrates NSI effectively.
To sum up, both Informational Social Influence and Normative Social Influence play crucial roles in driving conformity, but they differ in motivation and outcome.
ISI leads people to conform because they believe the group’s perspective is correct, often resulting in internalised belief changes. In contrast, NSI is driven by the need for social acceptance and typically results in surface-level compliance, where individuals align with the group outwardly while keeping their private views intact.
Evaluation of Conformity Explanations
Understanding conformity and the factors that drive it has been a major focus in psychology. Researchers have conducted influential studies to explore how and why individuals conform, highlighting both Informational Social Influence (ISI) and Normative Social Influence (NSI). Key studies by Asch, Zimbardo, and Linkenbach and Perkins provide valuable insights, as well as limitations, in evaluating these theories.
Asch’s Line Judgment Experiment
Asch’s experiment in the 1950s was a foundational study in understanding Normative Social Influence (NSI). In his line judgment task, participants were asked to match the length of a line with three comparison lines. Although the correct answer was obvious, participants conformed to incorrect answers given by confederates (actors pretending to be participants) in order to avoid social disapproval.
- Findings: Asch found that around 75% of participants conformed to the group’s wrong answer at least once, even though they knew it was incorrect. This demonstrated NSI, as participants conformed to avoid rejection.
- Evaluation: Asch’s study strongly supports NSI, showing that people often conform to fit in with others. However, the artificial setup and the lack of real-life application are limitations. In natural settings, the pressure to conform may differ. Additionally, Asch’s experiment was conducted in the 1950s, an era of more conservative social norms, which could influence results in different cultural or historical contexts.
Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment
Zimbardo’s experiment on conformity and role adaptation offers insight into Identification as a type of conformity. Conducted in 1971, the Stanford Prison Experiment involved participants assigned roles as either guards or prisoners in a simulated prison environment. The “guards” quickly adopted authoritarian behaviours, while the “prisoners” became passive, showing how strongly people conform to expected social roles.
- Findings: Participants internalised their assigned roles to an extreme, with guards becoming aggressive and prisoners becoming submissive. The experiment had to be stopped early due to the psychological distress caused by these intense role identifications.
- Evaluation: Zimbardo’s study highlights the power of Identification in driving conformity, as people can strongly conform to roles associated with a group. However, ethical issues—such as lack of informed consent and potential harm—limit the generalisability of these findings. Additionally, the controlled environment differs significantly from real-world situations, where people may not conform as readily or intensely.
Linkenbach and Perkins’ Anti-Smoking Study
Linkenbach and Perkins conducted a study that further illustrates Normative Social Influence (NSI) in real-world settings. This field study involved an anti-smoking campaign in Montana, targeting teenagers by sharing information that most of their peers did not smoke. The goal was to reduce smoking rates through NSI by leveraging the influence of perceived norms.
- Findings: The study found that teenagers exposed to the campaign were less likely to start smoking, suggesting that people conform to perceived social norms. In this case, the belief that most peers did not smoke led individuals to align with the non-smoking norm.
- Evaluation: This study supports NSI, showing that individuals’ behaviours can be influenced by perceived social norms. Unlike Asch’s laboratory-based study, Linkenbach and Perkins’ research provides ecological validity by examining conformity in a natural setting with real-life implications. However, as this study focuses on teenagers and a specific behaviour, the findings may not apply universally across all demographics or behaviours.
Understanding these dynamics of social influence equips A Level Psychology students with the tools to analyse human behaviour in a variety of social contexts, highlighting the complexity and power of conformity.
Tips You Should Know To Answering Conformity Questions on Exams
When studying conformity for A-Level Psychology, students should prepare for various types of questions that test their understanding of key concepts, theories, and studies.
Here are some essential tips and tricks to excel in exam:
- Understand Key Concepts
Know the definitions of Compliance, Internalisation, and Identification. Be ready to explain differences and provide examples. - Explain Social Influences
Understand Informational Social Influence (ISI) and Normative Social Influence (NSI), explaining how each type leads to conformity with examples. - Reference Key Studies
Support answers with studies like Asch’s Line Judgment Experiment, Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment, and Linkenbach and Perkins’ Study. - Include Real-World Examples
Use relevant examples, like peer pressure or workplace dynamics, to demonstrate your understanding of conformity in real-life situations. - Evaluate Studies
Include strengths and limitations of studies to show balanced understanding, such as Asch’s artificial setting or Zimbardo’s ethical issues. - Use Psychological Terms Accurately
Use terms like compliance, internalisation, and normative influence correctly to demonstrate your understanding. - Answer the Question Directly
Stay focused on what the question asks, particularly in short-answer sections, to avoid losing marks. - Time Management and Structure
For longer answers, plan your response clearly with an introduction, types of conformity, studies, and evaluation. - Use Past Papers for Practice
Review past papers to familiarize yourself with the types of questions and formats commonly asked. - Seek Feedback from Teachers or Tutors
Ask teachers or online tutors for feedback to refine your answers, improve structure, and ensure you’re on track for success.
Conclusion
Conformity is a key concept in A Level Psychology, offering valuable insights into human behaviour and social influence. By mastering the types of conformity, understanding social influences, and supporting answers with well-evaluated studies, students can confidently approach exam questions on this topic.
For those looking to refine their knowledge, online psychology tutors can be invaluable. Tutors offer tailored guidance, helping students clarify complex concepts, improve answer structure, and strengthen evaluation skills. With the support of expert tutors, students can build a solid foundation in psychology. They will ultimately boosting their confidence and exam performance.
FAQ For Types Of Conformity A-level Psychology
What is conformity?
Conformity is the act of changing one’s behavior, attitudes, or beliefs to align with those of a group. This adjustment is often due to social influence, where individuals feel pressure—whether real or perceived—to follow group norms. Conformity plays a significant role in maintaining social harmony. It can be driven by the desire to fit in or the belief that the group’s judgement is more accurate.
How does conformity impact behaviour?
Conformity can significantly influence behaviour by aligning individuals with group norms and expectations. Through conformity, people may change their actions to fit in, gain approval, or avoid social rejection. While conformity promotes social cohesion, it can also lead individuals to act against their values or beliefs. Highlighting both positive and negative effects on behaviour.
What are the types of conformity?
The three types of conformity are compliance, where people go along with the group outwardly but privately disagree; internalisation, when they fully accept the group’s beliefs; and identification
How can individuals resist conformity?
To resist conformity, individuals can focus on strengthening their personal values and self-confidence, making it easier to trust their judgement. Seeking support from like-minded people also helps, as does thinking critically about whether following the group aligns with their beliefs.
