Types of conformity: internalisation, identification and compliance
Conformity means changing your behaviour or beliefs to match a group. Psychologists identify three types: compliance, identification, and internalisation — each describing how deeply that change goes.
Real World
During the 2011 London riots, many participants later admitted they joined the looting not because they agreed with it (compliance), but because everyone around them was doing it — privately, they knew it was wrong.
Exam Focus
Distinguish all three types clearly; 'explain' questions require a definition plus a named difference in depth or permanence.
Evaluation Scaffold
A four-step framework for high-quality evaluation. Use this for 'assess', 'evaluate', and 'to what extent' questions.
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