Aggression, Conformity and Obedience

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Assignment 3b – Aggression, Conformity and Obedience Conformity is when an individual’s behaviour and /or beliefs are influenced by a larger group of people; this is known as majority influence. Conformity can be grouped into three headings according to Kelman (1958). Compliance is the shallowest form of conformity, going along with the majority publicly but privately views remain unchanged. Normative social influence leads people to do this for example Teenagers often dress the same as they want to fit in with their peer group and be liked . Identification is the middle level of conforming , this is when an individual’s behaviour and opinions change publicly and privately to those of the majority , however this may only be temporary and not continue when they leave the group . Internalisation or conversion is the deepest level of conformity and is influenced by a need to be correct, so an individual may look for guidance from others. People who convert to religion, for example to Buddhism and take on all the beliefs living the life of a Buddhist and modify their views permanently have become internalised. Deutsch and Gerard (1955) distinguished between informational social influence, the need to look to others for guidance and normative social influence (NSI), the need to be liked and accepted by a group as being crucial to understanding majority group influence. In contrast obedience is a social influence defined as following orders usually from a figure of authority, whereas conformity has an element of free will. Obedience starts very early in childhood with the parent / child relationship , as children you obey your parent and do as you are told to avoid unpleasant consequences usually punishment and this trait continues through life at school and then work . Obedience is a trait which allows humans to follow laws and orders and can
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