Examine two or more factors influencing conformity.

Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “examine” requires candidates to consider how two or more factors influence conformity in a way that uncovers the assumptions and relationships between each of these factors and conformity.

Appropriate factors influencing conformity may include but are not limited to: culture, minority influence, group size, unanimity, confidence, self-esteem, intellectual competence and leadership ability. Candidates may refer to normative influence and informational influence as factors leading to conformity.

Candidates may refer to a number of studies that may include but are not limited to:

• Asch’s (1951, 1952, 1956) studies on the influence of group size, unanimity and the difficulty of the task
• Crutchfield’s (1955) study on intellectual competence, ego strength, leadership ability and authoritarian personality
• Perrin and Spencer’s (1988) study on confidence
• Moscovici et al.’s (1969, 1976, 1985) studies on the influence of a minority
• Berry’s (1967) study or Bond and Smith’s study (1996) on cultural differences
• Abrams (1990) study on the role of social identity. 

In order to respond to the command term “examine”, candidates may refer to:

• our inherent need to belong and the role this plays in normative social influence
• that we understand ourselves through social comparison
• our behaviour is influenced by others, even when we believe that we are acting independently
• gender and cultural considerations – such as the role of cultural dimensions on our behaviour.

Candidates may examine two factors influencing conformity in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may examine a larger number of factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

If a candidate examines only one factor influencing conformity, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [5] for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension, up to a maximum of [4] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.

If factors influencing obedience or compliance, rather than conformity, are discussed, no marks should be awarded for this discussion. Marks should only be awarded for a discussion of the Stanford Prison Study if the response focuses on relevant factors influencing conformity, for example referent informational influence.