Do we follow a group to be right, or to fit in?
Someone agrees with a group, but the agreement does not reveal the reason. They might think the group knows something they do not, or they might want its acceptance. Informational and normative influence describe these different pressures, which can overlap in one situation.
Questions you could explore
- When might apparent agreement hide private doubt?
- What evidence would help distinguish these motives?
Start reading
- OpenStax, Rice UniversityPsychology 2e, 12.4: Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience
OpenStax explains normative and informational social influence without making every act of conformity the same.
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