Answer to Question 1
Answer: In general, people are more responsive to normative pressures when these pressures come from three or more others. Of course, conformity does not increase linearly as group size increases; Solomon Asch (1955) found that conformity did not increase appreciably when the majority exceeded four people. Because normative influence hinges on the need to be liked, the more important the group is to the individual, the more he or she will conform. Unanimous groups are also more likely to induce conformity; even one other dissenter will reduce conformity. Finally, both cultural and personal variables may affect conformity to normative social influence. In general, members of interdependent agricultural societies are more conforming than members of more independent hunting and fishing societies. There is also some evidence that women are slightly more conforming than men, perhaps because more than men, women have been socialized to be supportive and agreeable.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: When group members conform over time to the normative influence attempts of others, those conforming members earn credit that they can later use to resist such normative pressures. Edwin Hollander (1958, 1960) called these credits that people earn over time idiosyncrasy credits. Ironically, conformity over time earns an individual more idiosyncrasy credits, which he or she can later use to behave deviantly without censure or disapproval from group members. Note: Any example will do so long as students include two key ideas: conformity over time to normative influence pressures, and the right to deviate without censure later.
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