Explain two different explanations for conformity
Question 9
During her first week at college, Erin notices that most students remain silent during independent study sessions. She remains silent because she does not want the other students to think she is disruptive. Later, Erin is given a difficult laboratory task. She copies the method used by the rest of her group because she believes they understand the instructions better.
Explain how two different explanations for conformity account for Erin’s behaviour.
[8 marks]
Mark scheme
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “explain” requires students to do more than identify the two explanations. They need to show how each explanation causes Erin’s behaviour, making clear links between psychological knowledge and the details in the scenario. For 8 marks, students should develop both explanations, roughly giving equal attention to each. Evaluation is not required.
The relevant explanations are normative social influence (NSI) and informational social influence (ISI), both explicitly included in the AQA 7182 specification.
Marks for this question: AO2 = 8
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 7–8 | Application of knowledge of both explanations for conformity is clear, accurate and effective. Links between each explanation and Erin’s behaviour are explicitly explained and developed. The answer is coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. |
3 | 5–6 | Application of both explanations is mostly clear and appropriate. There are relevant links to Erin’s behaviour, although one explanation may be less developed or there may be minor omissions or inaccuracies. Specialist terminology is mostly used appropriately. |
2 | 3–4 | Some appropriate application is evident, but explanation is limited or lacks development. One explanation may be applied effectively while the other is limited or muddled. Links between psychological knowledge and the scenario may be partly implicit. |
1 | 1–2 | Application is very limited or muddled. The response may identify NSI and/or ISI but provide little explanation of how they account for Erin’s behaviour. There may be little more than repetition of the scenario. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
If only one explanation is addressed, the maximum mark is 4.
This approach follows AQA's use of application-focused level descriptors for scenario questions and the treatment of NSI and ISI in the June 2025 mark scheme.
Indicative content
Normative social influence
Credit relevant application such as:
Normative social influence occurs because people want social approval or acceptance and want to avoid rejection or disapproval.
Erin notices that most other students remain silent, so silence appears to be the social norm within the college study sessions.
Erin is in her first week at college, so acceptance by the new group may be particularly important to her.
Want to read more?
Subscribe to revision-notes.com to keep reading this exclusive post.