Explanations for Conformity

This page delves into the Dual Processing Dependency Model by Gerard and Deutsch, which suggests two primary reasons for conformity: the need to be liked and the need to be right. These correspond to two key explanations for conformity in psychological research.

Normative Social Influence (NSI) is based on the desire to be liked and accepted by others. It often results in compliance, where individuals change their behavior publicly to fit in with a group, even if they privately disagree.

Informational Social Influence (ISI) is rooted in the desire to be right, especially in ambiguous situations. This type of influence often leads to internalization, where people genuinely adopt the group's beliefs because they trust the group's judgment.

Definition: Normative Social Influence (NSI) is the tendency to conform to the expectations of others in order to gain social approval and avoid rejection.

Example: A new student observing whether others wear their uniform home on the first day of school is an example of Informational Social Influence in action.

Asch Conformity Experiment

This page introduces the famous Asch conformity experiment, a cornerstone study in social psychology. Conducted by Solomon Asch in 1951, this experiment aimed to examine the extent to which social pressure from a unanimous majority affects conformity in an unambiguous situation.

The study involved 123 male undergraduate students in the USA who believed they were participating in a simple vision test. Asch used a line judgment task, where participants had to match the length of a line to one of three comparison lines.

Key findings from the Asch experiment: • Overall conformity rate was 37% • 5% of participants conformed (gave wrong answers) on all 12 trials • The study demonstrated that even in clear-cut situations, social pressure can lead individuals to conform to incorrect judgments

Highlight: The Asch conformity experiment remains one of the most influential studies in social psychology, demonstrating the power of social influence even in situations where the correct answer is obvious.

Quote: As Asch noted, "The tendency to conformity in our society is so strong that reasonably intelligent and well-meaning young people are willing to call white black."

Page 5: Critical Evaluation of Asch's Study

This page presents a critical analysis of the Asch conformity experiment, examining its limitations and real-world applications.

Highlight: The study used a biased sample of 123 male American college students, limiting its generalizability.

Example: The artificial nature of the line judgment task may not reflect real-life conformity situations like peer pressure in smoking or drinking.