Social Influence: Compliance, Internalisation & Identification

What is the primary motivation behind normative social influence?

Which type of influence involves a temporary change in public views only?

What is the key difference between normative social influence and informational social influence?

Which type of influence involves a permanent change in both public and private views?

What is the primary motivation behind informational social influence?

Which type of influence is characterized by elements of both compliance and internalisation?

Compliance: temporary change in behavior to gain approval or avoid disapproval, without changing underlying attitudes; only public expression of views changes.
Internalisation: permanent change in behavior and attitudes through self-validation and acceptance of the group's point of view; both public and private adoption of views.
Identification: adopting attitudes or behaviors to associate with a particular person or group, combining elements of compliance and internalisation; permanent change.

Conformity to gain approval or avoid disapproval (emotional process)
Individual only adopts majority view publicly, without internal acceptance
Requires belief in group surveillance
Based on fundamental need for social companionship and fear of rejection
Key study: Asch (1956) - conforming to majority to gain approval

Acceptance of information from others as evidence about reality (cognitive process)
Driven by desire to be right
More likely when right course of action is unclear or others are experts
Leads to change in both public and private attitudes
Key study: Fein et al (2007)

Test your understanding of social influence types, including compliance, internalisation, and identification. Learn about the differences between temporary and permanent changes in attitudes and behaviors.