Conformity is a type of social influence in which individuals change their attitudes / behaviour in order to adhere to existing social norms.
Social norms are rules that tell us how we are expected to behave in a given situation. Instances like observing traffic signs (most of us still conform but in some instances some do not), observing silence in libraries (some of us do by taking a siesta), switching off mobile phones during theatre performances or when in cinemas.
There are several factors which determine conformity such as cohesiveness, group size, descriptive norms (what most people do in a given situation), and injunctive norms (approved or disapproved behaviour in a given situation).
Can you think of situations when some people might not conform?
3 comments:
There are people who do not conform to society, but conform to their own groups like punks and nerds. And some of these groups are deemed as deviant behaviours. In my perspective, conformity will always happen because of people's need to feel belong and accepted. When these needs are not met, they will feel ostracised which may lead to depression. So needing to conform is something people can't totally get rid of.
Yes. People conform because there's a need to feel sense of belonging and accepted to a group. Without these, they will feel neglected by the society and no identity and this may lead to depression. You may conform even though you dislike it. For example, you may participate whatever your colleagues planned for the department activities even though you really don't like to do it. But because you don't want to be labelled as anti-social by them, you don't mind even spending your weekend with them.
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