3 Types of Conformity

Conformity is a key concept in social psychology, referring to the process of adjusting one’s behaviour, beliefs, or attitudes to align with group norms. There are three main types of conformity that describe different levels of social influence and commitment to group norms.

What Are the Three Main Types of Conformity?

1. Compliance – Conforming publicly while privately disagreeing.

2. Identification – Conforming to establish a relationship with a group.

3. Internalisation – Conforming both publicly and privately due to genuine acceptance of group norms.

1. Compliance (Superficial Conformity)

Definition: Compliance occurs when individuals conform to a group’s expectations publicly, but privately disagree. This type of conformity is often driven by normative social influence – the need to fit in and avoid rejection.

Example: A student laughs at a joke they don’t find funny because everyone else in the group is laughing.

2. Identification (Temporary Conformity)

Definition: Identification happens when individuals conform because they want to establish or maintain a relationship with a group. Their behaviour changes publicly and privately, but only while they are part of that group.

Example: A person joins the military and adopts its values and behaviours, but reverts to previous behaviours once they leave the service.

3. Internalisation (Deep Conformity)

Definition: Internalisation is the strongest form of conformity, where individuals genuinely adopt the beliefs or behaviours of a group because they believe them to be correct. This form of conformity is linked to informational social influence.

Example: A person becomes vegetarian after discussing ethical concerns with friends and maintains this belief even when alone.

3 Situational Factors Affecting Conformity

1. Group Size – Larger groups tend to increase conformity up to a certain point.

2. Unanimity – If everyone agrees, an individual is more likely to conform.

3. Task Difficulty – The harder a task is, the more likely people are to rely on others for guidance.

What Was Sherif’s Experiment on Conformity?

Sherif’s 1935 experiment used the autokinetic effect (a visual illusion) to study conformity. Participants were asked to estimate how far a dot of light moved in a dark room. Over time, their answers converged to match the group norm, showing informational social influence.

3 Types of Conformity in Social Psychology

Conformity is a core topic in A-Level Psychology and AP Psychology courses. Understanding these three types helps explain how individuals adapt to social expectations and pressures.

Download the Social Influence PDF

For an in-depth revision guide covering conformity, including key studies, evaluation points, and exam-style questions, download the Social Influence Digital Interactive Revision Workbook – Yum Yum Mama.

📥 Get the Social Influence Workbook Now!

 

 

Why Choose This Workbook?

✅ Covers all major social influence topics, including conformity and obedience. ✅ Expert-written with 20+ years of psychology teaching experience. ✅ Interactive learning with live links to model answers. ✅ Designed for AQA A-Level and AP Psychology students. ✅ Instant digital download – Start revising today!

Master Social Influence with Yum Yum Mama – because top marks start with the right resources!