Research Support for NSI and the Interplay Between ISI and NSI
This page delves deeper into research support for normative social influence (NSI) and explores how ISI and NSI can work together in explaining conformity.
Research support for NSI is evident in studies where participants conform to incorrect answers to fit in with the group. This conformity is reduced when participants write their answers down, suggesting that the fear of social disapproval plays a significant role in NSI-driven conformity.
Example: In studies where participants can write their answers privately, conformity rates decrease, supporting the NSI theory that public compliance is a key factor in conformity.
The document then critiques the original two-process model that suggested conformity had to be either due to ISI or NSI. It argues that both processes can often be involved simultaneously.
Highlight: The presence of a dissenter (non-conforming person) in Asch's conformity experiments reduces the power of both NSI and ISI.
A dissenter provides social support for non-conformity, reducing the power of NSI. Additionally, the dissenter could be correct, which diminishes the influence of ISI by providing an alternative source of information.
Definition: Dissenter - A person who disagrees with or goes against the majority opinion in a group.
This interplay between ISI and NSI challenges the concept of these influences working as separate factors. The document concludes that it is difficult to separate these processes in real-world scenarios, suggesting a more complex model of social influence in conformity.
