CONFORMITY

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Conformity is usually generated by a group's spoken or unspoken norms. Conformity occurs as a result of real or imagined, though unspoken, group pressure. When everyone around you stands up to applaud a performance you thought was mediocre or average, you may conform by standing as well. No one tells you to do this. Therefore, we can say the group's behaviour simply creates a silent but influential pressure on its members.

2.0 OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. 
   
2.  describe conformity 
3. give reasons why people conform 
4.  explain when people conform. 

3.0 MAIN CONTENT

3.1 What is Conformity?

Conformity is defined as behaviour which follows the established norms of a group or society. People do not always conform to social norms because they accept the values that underlie them. They may behave in the approved ways simply because it is expedient to do so, or because of sanctions. No society can be divided up in a simple way between those who deviate from norms and those who conform to them. Most of us on some occasions transgress generally accepted rules of behaviour.

3.2 Why do People Conform?

Research suggests three influential factors. First, people are motivated to be correct and norms provide information about what is right and wrong. Second, people are motivated to be liked by other members of the group. Finally, norms guide the dispensations of social reinforcement and punishment. With this, you should note that from childhood on, people in many cultures learn that going along with group norms is good and earns rewards. People also learn that breaking a norm may bring punishment ranging from scoldings for small violations to imprisonment for non-conformity with norms that have been translated into laws.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1

What factors influence people's level of conformity?

3.3 When do People Conform?

The following are factors that influence conformity:

1.  Ambiguity of the Situation: This is one of the factors thatencourage conformity. As the physical reality of a situationbecomes less clear, people rely more and more on others'opinions, and conformity to a group norm becomes more likely. 
2. Unanimity and Size of the Majority: In actual fact, peopleexperience great pressure to conform as long as the majority isunanimous. Conformity also depends on the size of the group.The larger the group, the more conformity members experience. 
3. Personal Characteristics: This is another factor thatinfluences when people conform. In nearly any situation,some people will conform more than others. One majordeterminant of conformity is familiarity with the task;social status is another. 

Research suggests that people who are unfamiliar with a situation or have relatively low status in a group are the ones most likely to conform. Attraction to a group also influences conformity. People are more likely to conform when they like the members of a group than where there is no title or no attraction. It should be noted here that attraction may increase conformity because people tend to trust the judgment of those they like or because they want the approval of people to whom they are attracted.
Another personal characteristic that may shape conformity is the degree to which people are concerned with being liked or with being correct. People who are preoccupied with being liked are likely to conform particularly when they are also attracted to the others in the group. In contrast, people who are preoccupied with being right are likely to conform, no matter how much or how little they are attracted to others in the group.

SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2

Explain when people conform, citing examples peculiar to yourself?

4.0 CONCLUSION

Conformity has been identified to mean a change in behaviour or beliefs to match those of others in a group. It is a kind of social influence. In cases of ambiguity, people slowly develop a group norm and then adhere to it. Conformity occurs because people want to be right, because they want to be liked by others, and because conformity to group norms is usually reinforced.

5.0 SUMMARY

We have dealt with the definition of conformity, the factors influencing why people conform, and lastly the factors influencing when people conform. Conformity is expressed as behaviour which follows the established norms of a group or society. People do not always conform to social norms because they accept the values that underlie them. People tend to conform because in most cases, they are usually motivated to be correct and as a matter of fact, norms provide information about what is right and wrong. People are also motivated to be liked by other members of the group, and for that, they tend to conform. People tend to conform usually when there is ambiguity of situation, familiarity with the task, etc.

6.0 TUTOR-MARKED ASSIGNMENT

1. What do you understand by "Conformity"? 
2. Why do you think people conform? 
3. When do you think people conform?