Conformity under varying conditions of personal commitment.

This study tested a central proposition, stemming from Rotter's Social Learning Theory, that conformity is related to low expectations of success in socially evaluative situations and is consequently accompanied by defensive processes. 2 variants of an Asch situation representing increasing degrees of personal commitment were compared to a control condition. Situational measures of confidence included betting and statements of expectancy. Additional personality indices included level of aspiration, need for approval, and internal vs. external control of reinforcement. The Ss were 110 introductory psychology students. Results depict the conformer as one who has a low expectation of success in evaluative situations. His lesser confidence leads to avoidant behavior to resolve the ensuing conflict. Defensive processes of the conformer tend to become more marked as personal commitment increases. (17 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)