Conformity

• Conformity is a form of social influence where individuals unroll their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours to align with those of a particular group.
• It plays a significant part in society by maintaining order and predictability. However, it can also stymie creativity and individuality.
• There are two main types of conformity: normative and informational.
• Normative Conformity occurs when one aligns with the group in order to fit in, be accepted, or avoid appearing odd. This is driven by the desire to be liked.
• Informational Conformity happens when one conforms to another’s behaviour because they believe the other person has more knowledge about the situation. This is driven by the desire to be correct.
• Solomon Asch’s line experiment illustrates normative conformity. Participants conformed to a clearly wrong answer because they wanted to fit into the group.
• Factors impacting conformity include group size, unanimity, cohesion, status, accountability, and culture.
• Conformity decreases as group size increases past a certain point. This is because individual dissent becomes more likely.
• Unanimity significantly impacts conformity. The presence of a single ally can reduce the urge to conform.
• Higher status individuals exert more influence. People are more likely to conform to those they perceive to be of a higher social status.
• Similarly, people are more likely to conform in cohesive groups, where members like, value and respect each other.
• People who are accountable for their actions are less likely to conform, as they must justify their behaviours.
• Cultures that value individual freedom and autonomy typically experience lower rates of conformity. In contrast, those placing emphasis on communal or group harmony may experience higher rates.

Remember to apply these points when analysing real world behaviours and case scenarios. Additionally, consider these factors in the context of experiments and research methodology.