Conformity: The Subtle Influences Shaping Our Choices (By Ayush Kumar Baranwal)
~ Ayush Kumar Baranwal (2020CH10082)
Hi peeps! Have you ever done something because everyone else does it? Like wearing a particular outfit, listening to a certain song, or acting in a certain way. Then you're not alone. Conformity, the desire to change how we think and act to fit in with those around us, is an important part of how people interact with each other. In this blog, we will explore the interesting idea of conformity, and what makes it happen. We will also discuss what are the ways in which it affects our daily lives.
The Nature of Conformity
Conformity is everywhere, from fashion trends to political beliefs, and even in our choices of entertainment. It's the reason why we may change our decision to buy a particular model of phone just on the basis of what our friends are buying. The idea is that our actions and attitudes are heavily influenced by our social environment.
Reasons Behind Conformity
Psychologists have found two main reasons why people conform: informational influence and normative influence.
1) Normative Influence: This form of conformity stems from our desire to fit in and avoid criticism. We want to be accepted by our peers, and as a result, we may adopt behaviors or opinions that are in line with the group, even if they differ from our true beliefs. A classic study by Solomon Asch in 1956 demonstrated this by showing that people often gave incorrect answers to a simple visual judgment task to conform with the group's response. We will talk more about this experiment later.
2) Informational Influence: Sometimes, we conform because we believe others possess information that we lack, and following their lead seems like a reasonable strategy, especially when we're uncertain about how to act. We tend to assume that "everyone else is doing it," and we just follow it. This reliance on descriptive norms can be a reasonable choice in unfamiliar situations, as it helps us adapt. But at the same time sometimes this influence can prove to be harmful also.
The Classic Asch Experiment
Solomon Asch's experiment is one of the best examples of how normative influence can make people follow the rules. People were asked to compare the lengths of lines, and some confederates (people working with the tester) gave answers that were purposely wrong. People often went with the group's wrong answers even when the right answer was clear, so they wouldn't stand out. Different variations of this experiment were also performed to test the limits of this influence. In one of the variations, one of the confederates was asked to give the right answer to the questions asked. In this variation, the number of people who went along with the wrong answer of the group considerably decreased. This proves that the effect of the nominative influence can be severely weakened even if some people agree with us irrespective of what the whole group says/does. In another variation, the people participating in the experiment were asked to write their answers on a piece of paper instead of speaking them aloud. At the same time, the Confederates still had to speak their answers. This variation too saw a weakening in the nominative influence as the participant no longer felt the pressure of the group because they no longer had to reveal their answers to the group.
The Elevator Experiment
The famous Elevator Experiment is also a great example of how conformity affects us in our day-to-day lives. Basically in the experiment, a lift was going from a lower floor to a higher floor and, everyone in the lift except one person was a confederate. What was happening was that all the Confederates went into the lift and faced the wrong direction i.e. towards the back of the lift. The objective of the experiment was to see if the subject would also turn to face the wrong way in order to conform with the group. This influence was also strengthened by the Confederates who were leaving and coming into the lift on different floors. Now the results were that even though some people didn't conform with the group, the majority of people did. This proves how much influence the power of conformity can have on us. There was also a variation of this experiment where the confederates in the lift started dancing out of the blue and even in that variation many subjects eventually joined the group by dancing for no reason other than to conform with the group.
Conclusion
Conformity is a powerful force that influences our thoughts and actions in various aspects of life. Whether we are adjusting our behavior to fit in or seeking information from our surroundings, the impact of conformity is undeniable. However, it's essential to recognize when conformity might lead us astray and understand the potential consequences, as illustrated by the classic Asch experiment and the Elevator experiment.
While we may find ourselves conforming to some extent, it's also crucial to be aware of the balance between conformity and individuality. Just as conformity has its place in social situations, there are moments when challenging social norms is equally important. Ultimately, understanding the psychology of conformity allows us to navigate the fine line between fitting in and staying true to ourselves.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conformity
https://nobaproject.com/modules/conformity-and-obedience
Your blog post on conformity raises some fascinating points. Most of us can identify with this topic as we go about our daily lives, attempting to strike a balance between being ourselves and fitting in.
ReplyDeleteConformity influences every aspect of our lives, from our political beliefs to our clothes. It is the unseen force that directs our behaviour and viewpoints by the community in which we live.
It's interesting to hear how you addressed the two primary sources of conformity: normative influence and informational influence. Our desire to fit in and avoid trouble is the source of normative power. Even if group behaviours or viewpoints do not accurately reflect our own, we frequently adopt them. The Solomon Asch experiment from 1956 is a classic example of this. It showed how people would give false answers in a visual judgment task to match the group's response. The power of the desire to belong is fascinating.
When we believe others know something we don't, informational influence forces conformity. Following the group's lead makes sense in these circumstances, especially if we need guidance on how to proceed. Although relying on descriptive norms helps us adjust to new situations, it can occasionally lead us astray.
As demonstrated by the famous Asch experiment, normative influence can cause people to follow the herd even when they know it is the wrong decision. Experiment variations revealed the influence's boundaries and told that even one dissenting group member could undermine it. This demonstrates the power of individual resistance.
The elevator experiment is another fascinating example of how conformity affects our daily lives. All but one person in an elevator faces the opposite direction in an attempt to elicit a conforming response from the subject. It's incredible how many people engage in this seemingly illogical activity to fit in.
Understanding the role of conformity is critical. It all comes down to finding a happy medium between expressing individuality and fitting in. While some agreement is standard, there are times when going against the grain is critical to the advancement of society.
Knowing the psychology of conformity enables us to make wise decisions and identify situations where agreement may be harmful. This ability helps us navigate complex social problems.
Your post motivates us to think about our behaviour, evaluate how much we conform, and value individuality when appropriate.
~Aditya Singh (2020MS10740)
Your blog on conformity really made me think about the subtle yet powerful ways we're influenced by those around us. The Asch and Elevator experiments are classic examples, but it's in everyday life where we see this play out most vividly. I recall a time when I chose a smartphone brand just because it was the popular choice in my social circle, even though another brand had features that better suited my needs. It was a small decision, but it highlighted the pervasive nature of conformity.
ReplyDeleteThe discussion about balancing conformity with individuality is crucial. It's natural to want to fit in, but it's also important to stay true to ourselves. This blog serves as a reminder to be more mindful of our choices and the reasons behind them. It's interesting to consider how often we might be conforming without even realizing it, and how this shapes our interactions and decisions. Understanding the psychology behind conformity can help us make more conscious, authentic choices.
Hey Ayush! Great blog post on conformity. Totally relate to the whole "doing what everyone else does" thing. It's crazy how it seeps into our daily lives without us even realizing. Looking forward to more insights on this! 👍
ReplyDeleteGreat Ayush!!
ReplyDeleteYour analysis of how conformity is present in various aspects of our lives, such as fashion and politics, is truly impressive.The differentiation between normative influence and informational influence offers valuable insights into why we tend to conform.The thorough examination of Solomon Asch's well-known experiment and the Elevator Experiment provides a more comprehensive perspective to the conversation.One should focus on the strong connection between recognizing when conformity may mislead us and the need for a balance between conformity and individualism. I appreciate the way you have acknowledged that challenging social norms is crucial in certain situations for nuancing perspective and contributing to the broader discussion.