Conformity Behavior

Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group. 

Conformity can also be simply defined as “yielding to group pressures” (Crutchfield, 1955). Group pressure may take different forms, for example bullying, persuasion, teasing, criticism etc.  Conformity is also known as majority influence (or group pressure).

Types of Conformity

Compliance. Publicly acting in accord with

social pressure while privately disagreeing.

Best describes the behavior of a person who is motivated to gain reward or avoid punishment.

Identification. We adopt a particular behavior

because it puts us in a satisfying relationship to the person or persons with whom we are identifying.

We do come to believe in the opinions and values we adopt, though not very strongly. We want to be like some particular person.

EX: Want to be just like your father.

Types of Conformity

Types of Conformity Internalization (or acceptance). Both acting and believing in accord

with social pressure. This is the most permanent, deeply rooted response to social influence.

If the person who provides the influence is perceived to be trustworthy and of good judgment, we accept the belief he or she advocates and we integrate it into our belief system.

Asch's studies of group pressure. Asch believed intelligent people would not conform when they could readily see the truth for themselves. Showed people lines - a third of the time subjects were willing to go against their better judgment and agree with the group. About 75% went with the group at least once!

Classic studies

Non Conformity

Not everyone conform to social pressure. Indeed, their are many factors that contribute to an individual's desire to remain independent of the group.

Obedience To Authority

Obedience is a form of social influence where an individual acts in response to a direct order from another individual, who is usually an authority figure.

Factors That Increase Obedience

Stanley Milgram  found that subjects were more likely to obey in some circumstances than others. Obedience was highest when:

Commands were given by an authority figure rather than another volunteer

The experiments were done at a prestigious institution

Factors That Increase Obedience

The authority figure was present in the room with the subject

The learner was in another room

The subject did not see other subjects disobeying commands

In more extreme situations, people obey even when they are required to violate their own values or commit crimes.

People justify their behavior by assigning responsibility to the authority rather than themselves.

People define the behavior that’s expected of them Researchers think several factors cause people to carry obedience to extremes: as routine.

People don’t want to be rude or offend the authority.

People obey easy commands first and then feel compelled to obey more and more difficult commands. This process is called entrapment, and it illustrates the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.

Human RightsThe term "human rights" refers to those rights that are considered universal to humanity, regardless of citizenship, residency status, ethnicity, gender, or other considerations.

Sources: http://www.simplypsychology.org/con

formity.html http://www3.nd.edu/~rwilliam/xsoc5

30/conformity.html

http://www.simplypsychology.org/obedience.html

http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/psych101/socialpsychology/section7.rhtml

By: CJ