Social influence is everywhere in your daily life - from... Show more
Psychology
English Literature
Biology
SociologySign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
330
•
22 Dec 2025
•
Understanding Social Influence and Conformity in AQA A Level Psychology
ella
@ella_feqn
1 / 4
Types of Conformity and Why We Follow the Crowd
Ever wondered why you sometimes act differently around certain groups? There are actually three distinct types of conformity that explain how we change our behaviour to fit in.
Compliance happens when you change what you do publicly but keep your private thoughts the same. Think about pretending to enjoy a film everyone else loves - you're just going along with it temporarily. Identification goes a step further - you actually start believing what the group believes, but only whilst you're with them. Internalisation is the deepest level, where you permanently change both your behaviour and beliefs because you genuinely think the group is right.
Why do we conform in the first place? Normative Social Influence (NSI) kicks in when we want to be liked and accepted - like starting to support a football team because all your mates do. Informational Social Influence (ISI) happens when we're unsure about something and look to others for guidance, assuming they know better than we do.
Quick Check: Next time you're in a group situation, notice whether you're conforming to fit in (NSI) or because you think others know something you don't (ISI).
Classic Conformity Experiments That Changed Psychology
Jenness' bean jar experiment was one of the first proper studies of conformity. Participants guessed how many beans were in jars individually, then made group estimates. The results were striking - people's individual guesses completely shifted when they discussed them as a group, showing just how powerful majority influence can be.
Asch's line study took things further by testing whether people would conform even when the answer was blindingly obvious. Participants had to match lines that were clearly different lengths, but confederates (fake participants) deliberately gave wrong answers. Amazingly, real participants went along with the obviously incorrect majority 32% of the time, with 75% conforming at least once.
The study has some proper limitations though - it only used men, the task was pretty artificial, and it doesn't really reflect how we make decisions in real life. However, it brilliantly demonstrates NSI in action, showing how desperate we can be to fit in with a group.
Think About It: Would you have been one of the 25% who never conformed, or would the pressure have got to you too?
What Makes Us More Likely to Conform
Asch didn't stop there - he tweaked his experiment to figure out exactly what factors make conformity more likely, and the results are fascinating.
Group size matters, but not in the way you might expect. Conformity increases with larger groups but only up to about 4 people - after that, it plateaus. Researchers think we start suspecting something dodgy is going on if too many people agree. Unanimity is absolutely crucial - if even one person breaks ranks and gives a different answer, conformity drops dramatically.
Task difficulty also plays a huge role. When Asch made the lines harder to distinguish, conformity shot up because participants genuinely looked to others for help. This shows ISI in action - when we're uncertain, we're much more likely to follow the crowd.
The Stanford Prison Experiment took social influence to extreme levels. Zimbardo converted a university basement into a mock prison and randomly assigned students to be guards or prisoners. Within hours, both groups had completely absorbed their roles - guards became aggressive and brutal, whilst prisoners became submissive and institutionalised.
Reality Check: The experiment had to be stopped early because the role-playing became too realistic and psychologically damaging.
From Conformity to Obedience - Following Orders
The Stanford Prison Experiment revealed something terrifying about human nature - how quickly normal people can adopt extreme behaviours when placed in certain social roles. The guards weren't naturally cruel, but the situation transformed them completely.
However, the study has massive ethical problems and questions about validity. Critics argue that participants might have been acting how they thought researchers wanted them to (demand characteristics), and using only male students limits how much we can generalise the findings.
Obedience represents a different type of social influence entirely - it's about following direct orders from authority figures rather than just going along with group pressure. This distinction becomes crucial when we consider how ordinary people can be led to do extraordinary (and sometimes terrible) things.
Milgram's shock study (mentioned at the end) would go on to become one of the most famous and controversial experiments in psychology, examining just how far people will go when ordered to harm others by someone in authority.
Key Insight: Understanding social influence isn't just academic - it helps explain everything from fashion trends to historical atrocities, making you more aware of the invisible pressures shaping your own behaviour.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Most popular content: Conformity
Most popular content in Psychology
Most popular content
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding Social Influence and Conformity in AQA A Level Psychology
ella
@ella_feqn
Social influence is everywhere in your daily life - from choosing what to wear based on what's trendy to going along with your friends' plans even when you're not sure about them. Understanding how and why we conform to groups... Show more
Types of Conformity and Why We Follow the Crowd
Ever wondered why you sometimes act differently around certain groups? There are actually three distinct types of conformity that explain how we change our behaviour to fit in.
Compliance happens when you change what you do publicly but keep your private thoughts the same. Think about pretending to enjoy a film everyone else loves - you're just going along with it temporarily. Identification goes a step further - you actually start believing what the group believes, but only whilst you're with them. Internalisation is the deepest level, where you permanently change both your behaviour and beliefs because you genuinely think the group is right.
Why do we conform in the first place? Normative Social Influence (NSI) kicks in when we want to be liked and accepted - like starting to support a football team because all your mates do. Informational Social Influence (ISI) happens when we're unsure about something and look to others for guidance, assuming they know better than we do.
Quick Check: Next time you're in a group situation, notice whether you're conforming to fit in (NSI) or because you think others know something you don't (ISI).
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Classic Conformity Experiments That Changed Psychology
Jenness' bean jar experiment was one of the first proper studies of conformity. Participants guessed how many beans were in jars individually, then made group estimates. The results were striking - people's individual guesses completely shifted when they discussed them as a group, showing just how powerful majority influence can be.
Asch's line study took things further by testing whether people would conform even when the answer was blindingly obvious. Participants had to match lines that were clearly different lengths, but confederates (fake participants) deliberately gave wrong answers. Amazingly, real participants went along with the obviously incorrect majority 32% of the time, with 75% conforming at least once.
The study has some proper limitations though - it only used men, the task was pretty artificial, and it doesn't really reflect how we make decisions in real life. However, it brilliantly demonstrates NSI in action, showing how desperate we can be to fit in with a group.
Think About It: Would you have been one of the 25% who never conformed, or would the pressure have got to you too?
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
What Makes Us More Likely to Conform
Asch didn't stop there - he tweaked his experiment to figure out exactly what factors make conformity more likely, and the results are fascinating.
Group size matters, but not in the way you might expect. Conformity increases with larger groups but only up to about 4 people - after that, it plateaus. Researchers think we start suspecting something dodgy is going on if too many people agree. Unanimity is absolutely crucial - if even one person breaks ranks and gives a different answer, conformity drops dramatically.
Task difficulty also plays a huge role. When Asch made the lines harder to distinguish, conformity shot up because participants genuinely looked to others for help. This shows ISI in action - when we're uncertain, we're much more likely to follow the crowd.
The Stanford Prison Experiment took social influence to extreme levels. Zimbardo converted a university basement into a mock prison and randomly assigned students to be guards or prisoners. Within hours, both groups had completely absorbed their roles - guards became aggressive and brutal, whilst prisoners became submissive and institutionalised.
Reality Check: The experiment had to be stopped early because the role-playing became too realistic and psychologically damaging.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
From Conformity to Obedience - Following Orders
The Stanford Prison Experiment revealed something terrifying about human nature - how quickly normal people can adopt extreme behaviours when placed in certain social roles. The guards weren't naturally cruel, but the situation transformed them completely.
However, the study has massive ethical problems and questions about validity. Critics argue that participants might have been acting how they thought researchers wanted them to (demand characteristics), and using only male students limits how much we can generalise the findings.
Obedience represents a different type of social influence entirely - it's about following direct orders from authority figures rather than just going along with group pressure. This distinction becomes crucial when we consider how ordinary people can be led to do extraordinary (and sometimes terrible) things.
Milgram's shock study (mentioned at the end) would go on to become one of the most famous and controversial experiments in psychology, examining just how far people will go when ordered to harm others by someone in authority.
Key Insight: Understanding social influence isn't just academic - it helps explain everything from fashion trends to historical atrocities, making you more aware of the invisible pressures shaping your own behaviour.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
12
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay
Most popular content: Conformity
Most popular content in Psychology
Most popular content
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user