Social conformity: what it is, experiments, types and examples

Is conformity positive or negative? There is no scientific answer to this question. Endorsing the values ​​that most of us share, we can say that sometimes conformism is negative (when it induces someone to drive drunk or associate with racist behaviors), sometimes positive (when it inhibits abusive insertion in line to buy tickets at the cinema) and sometimes irrelevant (when it implies that tennis players wear of white).

In Western individualistic cultures, where peer pressure is not viewed as positive, the word "conformism" tends to convey a negative value judgment. In Japan, on the other hand, agreeing with others is a sign not of weakness, but of tolerance, self-control and maturity.

In this Psychology-Online article we will delve together into the concept of social conformity, to discover What is it, the experiments with which it has been studied and theorized, the different types and some examples.

Index

1. What is social conformity
2. Experiments on social conformity
3. Types of social conformity

Social conformity is defined by Turner as the movement of one or more discordant persons toward normative group positions as a function of implicit or explicit pressure from group members. Mucchi Faina then clarifies this notion, defining conformity as adherence to an opinion or to a behavior that prevails even when these are in contrast to one's own way of thinking.

Conformity means, however, not only acting as others act, but also being conditioned by how they act; it means to act and think differently from how it would be done autonomously. Therefore, conformity is a change in people's behavior, thoughts, and feelings with respect to a social norm.

Researchers studying conformity and obedience help each other by reconstructing "social worlds" in the laboratory. miniature, thus developing microcultures that simplify and simulate important characteristics of social influence daily. Some of these studies have revealed alarming results and their echo, also due to the fact that have been replicated by others, has been so great that they have earned the name of "experiments classics ":

• Sherif's studies on the formation of the norm.
• Asch's studies on peer pressure.
• Milgram's obedience experiments.

Why do we settle?

Starting with the classic experiments of Sherif, Asch, and Milgram, numerous scholars have shown that the conformism is influenced by some situational variables that refer to the characteristics of the group:

• People adapt better when three or more people act in the same way and are consistent with each other.
• One conforms the more the people one "models" are of high level and when those who settle for public responses of conformity in their presence.
• Studies state that one conforms to respond to their desire to be accepted (normative influence) and to face situations of uncertainty (informational influence).

In general, although it is not possible to define who is more prone to conformity, there are some studies on personality that affirm that personality traits help to define who conforms, especially in situations called "weak" and in which social forces do not have a great impact on differences individual. In addition, the culture of belonging and social roles can influence a person's degree of fulfillment.

Recent studies on anti-conformism reveal that reactance, that is, the performance of people to protect their sense of freedom, it is a factor that elicits a "boomerang" effect anti-conformist.

There are three types of conformity:

1. Condescension or appeasement. Sometimes we settle for an expectation or a request without really believing in what we are doing; for example, we put on a tie or a dress even if it bothers us to do so. This type of false and apparent conformity is called condescension or acquiescence (compliance), a conformity involving a public action in response to an implicit or explicit request but with a disagreement inside.
2. Obedience. This type of social conformity occurs when we agree primarily to obtain a reward or avoid punishment. If our condescension responds to an explicit and direct order or command, we call it obedience.
3. Acceptance or internal adherence. Sometimes we sincerely believe in what the group has led us to believe: we can join millions of others people to do physical exercise because we have been told that it is good for health and we accept it as truth. This kind of sincere and inner conformity is defined as inner acceptance or adherence, a conformity that involves both acting and believing in response to social pressure. Acceptance sometimes follows condescension; we can come to believe intimately in something that we initially doubted.

This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.

If you want to read more articles similar to Social conformity: what it is, experiments, types and examples, we recommend that you enter our category of Social psychology.

• Myers, D. G. (2009). Social psychology. Milan: McGraw-Hill