Charlie has just started at a new school. He has become friendly with a group of boys in his year group. Charlie thinks they are 'cool'.

One day, one of the more popular boys in the group suggests they all wear their school jumpers inside-out for a week, 'just to see what will happen'. Charlie worries about this all night but still goes to school the following day wearing his jumper inside-out.

Use your knowledge of conformity to explain Charlie's behaviour. [6 marks]

Answer: Charlie may be conforming in this situation due to normative social influence (NSI). NSI occurs when an individual conforms out of a desire to fit in or avoid social rejection. This could explain Charlie's behaviour, as he is wearing his jumper inside out to fit in with the group he perceives as 'cool'.

NSI is often linked to compliance, which involves a change in public behaviour but not in private beliefs. The fact that Charlie is worrying suggests that, although he is outwardly conforming, he does not privately agree with the behaviour, indicating that only his public behaviour has changed, not his personal beliefs.

Examiner Comment: It is possible to answer this question by referring to explanations of conformity (NSI and ISI), types of conformity (such as compliance), and other factors influencing conformity, including locus of control, group size, and unanimity. The key is that any explanation must be explicitly linked to Charlie's behaviour and the details of the scenario.