What is the primary difference between social and dispositional factors in conformity?

Social factors refer to external situational variables like group size and unanimity, while dispositional factors refer to internal individual characteristics like personality traits and Locus of Control.

How does the effect of group size on conformity differ from the effect of unanimity?

Group size increases conformity only up to a point (plateauing around 3-4 people), whereas unanimity is a powerful requirement for conformity that can be shattered by just a single dissenter.

Compare the impact of task difficulty versus expertise on conformity.

Task difficulty is a social factor that increases conformity due to ambiguity, while expertise is a dispositional factor that decreases conformity because the individual trusts their own knowledge over the group.

Why is it a misconception that a group of 50 people will exert significantly more pressure than a group of 5?

Research shows a plateau effect where the majority of the influence is established by the first few people; adding more members beyond a small majority yields diminishing returns in conformity rates.

What is the common mistake in assuming that 'Internal Locus of Control' means a person never conforms?

While internals are more resistant, they may still conform if they perceive the group's information as genuinely superior or if the social cost of dissent is extremely high in a specific context.

Why is it incorrect to classify 'Task Difficulty' as a dispositional factor?

Task difficulty is a property of the environment or the challenge itself (situational), whereas dispositional factors must be inherent traits of the person performing the task.

Define 'Locus of Control' in the context of social influence.

It is a personality dimension representing the degree to which people believe they have control over their own lives (Internal) versus being controlled by external forces (External).

What is 'Informational Social Influence' (ISI)?

ISI is a psychological mechanism where an individual conforms because they believe the group possesses more accurate information, typically occurring in difficult or ambiguous situations.

What does 'Unanimity' mean in conformity research?

Unanimity refers to the state of the majority being in complete agreement; when this is broken by a dissenter, the pressure on others to conform is greatly reduced.

Define 'Normative Social Influence'.

This is the tendency to conform to the positive expectations of a group in order to be liked or accepted, rather than to be correct.

Library Podcasts

Courses

Referral & Rewards

Social & Dispositional Factors in Conformity

Summary

Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms. This phenomenon is driven by two primary categories of influence: social factors, which relate to the external environment and group dynamics, and dispositional factors, which involve the internal personality traits and cognitive styles of the individual.

1. Definition & Core Concepts

Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group. This change is often a response to real or imagined group pressure.
Social Factors are situational variables that exist in the environment. These include elements like the size of the group, the presence of social support, and the nature of the task being performed.
Dispositional Factors are internal characteristics that belong to the individual. These include personality traits, levels of expertise, and the individual's sense of personal control over their life.
The interaction between these factors determines the likelihood that an individual will yield to the majority or maintain their independence.

2. Social Factors: Group Dynamics

Group Size: The pressure to conform increases as the number of people in the majority grows. However, research suggests this effect plateaus after the group reaches a certain size (typically 3 to 4 people), meaning a massive crowd is not necessarily more influential than a small, unified group.
Unanimity and Social Support: Conformity rates drop significantly if the individual has at least one 'ally' who disagrees with the majority. The presence of a dissenter breaks the unified front of the group, providing the individual with the confidence to express their own views.
Task Difficulty and Ambiguity: When a task is difficult or the correct answer is unclear, individuals are more likely to conform. This occurs because the individual lacks confidence in their own judgment and looks to the group as a source of correct information, a process known as Informational Social Influence.

A graph showing the relationship between group size and conformity rate. The curve rises sharply as group size increases from 1 to 3, then levels off (plateaus) as more people are added to the majority.

3. Dispositional Factors: Locus of Control

4. Dispositional Factors: Personality & Expertise

5. Key Distinctions: Situational vs. Individual

6. Exam Strategy & Tips