​Conformity is defined as...

"A type of social influence in which individuals change their attitudes or behavior to adhere to existing social norms"
-Baron et al. 2008

Conformity in which people conform because they want to be liked or accepted. Motivated by fear of social disapproval and rejection.

​Normative Influence

Conformity in which we look to others to figure out how to act or behave in an environment.

​Informational Influence

Explanations of Conformity

A matter of not just adhering to social norms, but specifically to the ingroup norms; Conforming to maintain a sense of belongingness and our Social Identity. Related to SIT

​Referent Informational Influence

A combination of informational and normative influence; Where people want to be right and liked in any given situation or environment.

​Dual-Process Models

Explanations of Conformity

Dispositional and Situational Explanations

The stresses of conformity in the environment. Social Psychologist suggest this has more weight in explaining conformity than dispositional factors

​Situational

Low self-esteem
High need for social support and approval
High anxiety
Feelings of low status in the group

​Dispositional

A: To test Conformity
P: Participants think they are in a visual perception study. They are asked to say aloud which lines a re of equal length to the standard line. 6 other participants are 'Confederates' and give the wrong answer 12 out of 18 trials. The real participant was last to answer.
F: Participants conformed 37% on critical trials and 76% at least once.
C: People conform to avoid criticism and social disapproval.

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​Asch 1951

​Groupthink is defined as...

"Defective group decision-making process that leads to poor decisions."
-Janis 1972

An off-shoot of Conformity that can be very dangerous.

Groupthink

​Common Features of Groupthink

High group cohesiveness- group closely bonded

Decisional urgency- under pressure to make fast decisions

Need for consensus- more concern on reaching consensus than how