Conformity
Definition
Conformity
Conformity is the act of adjusting one's behavior or beliefs to align with the perceived norms or expectations of a group.
It is a form of social influence where individuals yield to group pressure , either real or imagined.
Key Study
Case studyAsch (1951)
Aim: To investigate whether individuals would conform to an obviously incorrect majority opinion.
Procedure:
- Participants were seated in a room with 6–8 confederates (actors).
- They were shown a standard line and three comparison lines, and asked to state which comparison line matched the standard line.
- Confederates gave incorrect answers in 12 out of 18 trials.
- The participant always answered last or second to last.
Results:
- 75% of participants conformed at least once.
- On average, participants conformed in 32% of the critical trials.
- When interviewed, participants said they conformed to fit in or avoid ridicule.
Conclusion: People conform to group pressure even when the answer is obvious.
Real-World Applications
- Peer Pressure in Schools: Students may conform to group behaviors, such as dressing similarly or adopting certain attitudes, to fit in.
- Workplace Culture: Employees often conform to organizational norms, such as dress codes or communication styles, to be accepted by colleagues.
- In schools, students may conform to wearing certain clothing brands to fit in with their peers.
- In the workplace, employees may conform to the dress code or work habits of their colleagues.
