Conformity

Conformity is a type of social influence involving a change in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a group. This change is in response to real (involving the physical presence of others) or imagined (involving the pressure of social norms / expectations) group pressure.

Definition

Conformity can be defined as adjusting one's behavior or thinking to match those of other people or a group standard. There are many different situations where people conform and psychologists have categorized three main types of conformity, including: compliance, identification, and internalization.

Types of Conformity

Compliance

Compliance often involves the change of behavior without the change of belief. This is most commonly seen when a person conforms to a group's norms in order to be accepted or liked by the group.

Identification

Identification is conformity to a role model or authority figure. This can be a parent, teacher, or celebrity. The person identifies with the role model and tries to be like them.

Internalization

Internalization is the deepest level of conformity. Here, a person changes their behavior and beliefs to match those of the group. This change is often permanent, even when the group pressure is removed.

Factors Influencing Conformity

Several factors can influence conformity, including group size, unanimity, cohesion, status, prior commitment, and public opinion.

Effects of Conformity

While conformity can lead to negative outcomes such as reduced individuality and creativity, it can also have positive effects such as social harmony and increased productivity in group tasks.

See Also

• Social Influence
• Group Dynamics
• Peer Pressure
• Norm (social)

Conformity Resources
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