what is conformity
The tendency for people to adopt the behaviour, attitudes, and beliefs of other members of a group.
list all the 7 factors affecting conformity
-Normative influence
-Informational influence
-Culture
-Group size
-Unanimity
-Deindividuation
-Social loafing
what is normative influence
& give an example
Conforming to gain social approval or avoid social rejection.
- Eg. Buying new white sneakers because everyone’s wearing them and someone said your old shows look bad.
what is informational influence & give an example
Conforming due to uncertainty about how to act/think.
- Ie. Copying what others are doing because
you don’t know what’s expected of you in
this situation.
what is group size
The larger the group, the more likely someone will conform with the group.
what is group unanimity
Someone is more likely to conform when all of the group agree on an idea.
what is culture
Someone’s cultural background can influence
whether someone feels comfortable standing
out from a crowd or not.
what are examples of culture in society
- Participants from individualistic cultures (value independence and personal goals – Aus, USA, UK, Israel) were less likely to conform.
- Participants from collectivist cultures (value achieving group goals – Egypt, India, Nepal, Japan etc) were more likely to conform.
what Deindividuation & give an example
- The loss of individuality or gain of the sense of anonymity that can occur in a group situation.
- When people feel anonymous
and less accountable for their
actions, they may choose to
conform to a group which is
behaving in ways they otherwise
would not.
what is social loafing
The reduction of effort an individual puts in when they are part of a team.
why do we conform
Society requires that some conformity exists so that norms and standards can be established and agreed upon – otherwise, behavior would be unpredictable.
define obedience
The performance of an action in response to the direct orders of an authority or person of higher status.
