A conformist is an individual who adjusts their behavior, attitudes, or beliefs to align with the norms of a group. This adjustment can be a conscious decision or an unconscious tendency to imitate others. For example, a teenager might start wearing a particular brand of sneakers because their friends do, aiming to fit in. This alignment helps individuals feel accepted and simplifies social interactions.
Psychological Drivers of Conformity
People conform due to various psychological influences, often stemming from a desire to be correct or to be accepted by others. One primary reason is Informational Social Influence, which occurs when individuals look to the group for information in uncertain or ambiguous situations. They may assume the group possesses more accurate information and adjust their views. This influence can lead to a genuine, lasting change in beliefs, as the individual truly accepts the group’s perspective as correct.
Another powerful driver is Normative Social Influence, driven by the desire to be liked, accepted, and to avoid rejection. This influence often results in public compliance, where an individual changes their outward behavior to fit in, even if their private beliefs remain different. The human need for affiliation and acceptance within social groups plays a significant role in motivating this type of conformity.
A classic demonstration of normative social influence is Solomon Asch’s conformity experiments from the 1950s. Participants were asked to match the length of a line to one of three comparison lines, a task with an obvious correct answer. In groups, confederates unanimously gave incorrect answers on certain trials. Approximately 75% of participants conformed to the incorrect majority at least once. Many participants later admitted they knew the answer was wrong but conformed to avoid standing out.
Levels of Conforming Behavior
Conformity exists along a spectrum, characterized by different depths of influence on an individual’s beliefs and actions. The most superficial level is Compliance, where a person publicly agrees with a group’s behavior or opinions but privately maintains differing views. This type of conformity is often motivated by a desire to gain rewards or avoid punishment, and the behavior change is typically temporary, ceasing when group pressure is removed.
A deeper level is Identification, where an individual conforms to a group because they value their membership. This involves adopting the group’s behaviors and opinions publicly, but the change is often tied to the specific group relationship. The individual accepts the group’s norms to maintain their sense of belonging, even if they do not fully internalize every belief.
The deepest and most enduring form of conformity is Internalization. At this level, an individual genuinely adopts the group’s beliefs, values, and behaviors as their own, both publicly and privately. This profound change means the new attitudes and actions persist even when the group is no longer present, as they have become integrated into the individual’s personal belief system. Internalization reflects a true conversion to the group’s values, often occurring when the group is perceived as a reliable source of information.
Conformity’s Role in Society
Conformity plays a dual role in society, offering both beneficial structures and potential drawbacks. On the positive side, it helps establish and maintain social order, predictability, and safety. Following shared norms, such as traffic laws or queuing in lines, allows for smoother interactions and reduces chaos, enabling collective functioning. Conformity also fosters a sense of unity and shared identity, which can enhance cooperation and group cohesion.
Despite these benefits, excessive conformity can lead to negative consequences. One notable phenomenon is groupthink, where a group’s desire for harmony and consensus overrides a realistic evaluation of alternative viewpoints. This can result in poor decision-making, as members may suppress dissenting opinions or avoid critical thinking to align with the perceived group consensus. Historical examples include the 1986 NASA Challenger spacecraft launch, where warnings were reportedly dismissed due to pressure for unanimity.
Conformity can also stifle individuality and creativity. When individuals feel pressured to align with group norms, they may suppress unique ideas and perspectives, leading to a lack of innovation and diversity within communities or organizations. This adherence to the status quo can sometimes perpetuate harmful practices or unjust systems, as people may fail to question established norms.