3.3.3—Conformity
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2027
- Objective
- 3.3.3
- Level
- HL
Conformity can protect belonging or supply information
Conformity is changing an expressed judgement or behaviour toward a group standard. Normative influence seeks acceptance; informational influence uses others as evidence when the situation is uncertain.
Group size, unanimity, task ambiguity, confidence and culture can change the pressure. A person may comply publicly while privately disagreeing, or internalise the group view when it seems informative.
In an Asch-style line task, a unanimous wrong majority can pull a participant's answer away from clear visual evidence. Breaking unanimity with one ally often reduces the pressure, showing the role of group structure.
Conformity is not always irrational and it is not the same as obedience. State whether the motive is acceptance or information and what evidence shows public versus private change.