Psychological Concept of Conformity and Its Main Types

What is Conformity?

Conformity happens when people change their behavior to match the group around them. The things we do, say, or even think can be influenced by conformity. People conform for two main reasons: they want to have an accurate view of reality (informational conformity), or they want to be accepted by others (normative conformity). In simple terms, conformity is a major social phenomenon that can be divided into three types: compliance, identification, and internalization.

Defining Conformity

According to the Oxford Living Dictionaries, conformity is defined as "behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions." The word "conformity" has its roots in the Old French word conformité and the Latin word conformis, which mean "similar in shape." While obedience is not exactly the same as conformity, these two concepts are often connected. Both involve social influence, and both can create pressure to act in a certain way. However, conformity is more about wanting to fit in with the group, while obedience is about following authority.

Compliance: Going Along with the Group

Compliance is the lowest level of conformity. It’s when people change their behavior publicly to match the group but don’t necessarily change what they believe in privately. This is often done to gain approval or avoid conflict. One of the most famous studies on compliance is Asch’s Line Experiment, conducted in 1951 by psychologist Solomon Asch. In this experiment, participants were asked to identify which line out of three was the same length as a standard line. While the correct answer was obvious, confederates (people in on the experiment) purposely gave the wrong answer. Surprisingly, 32% of the participants conformed to the wrong answer at least once, even though they knew it was incorrect. This shows how powerful the desire to fit in can be.

Identification: Adopting a Group Identity

The next level of conformity is identification. This happens when a person conforms to a group’s expectations both publicly and privately, but only as long as they are part of that group. It’s about wanting to belong and being accepted. A great example of identification is Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment, conducted in 1971. In this study, students were randomly assigned roles as either prisoners or guards in a mock prison. Over time, both groups began to fully embrace their roles. The guards became abusive, while the prisoners became submissive. Even though these were just assigned roles, the participants' behavior and attitudes changed dramatically. However, once the experiment ended, the participants quickly returned to their normal selves. This shows how identification with a role can temporarily change a person's behavior.

Internalization: Deep Change

Internalization is the deepest form of conformity. It’s when people adopt the beliefs and behaviors of a group both publicly and privately, and these changes last even when they are no longer part of the group. This kind of conformity usually happens because the person genuinely believes that the group is right. A classic example of internalization is Sherif’s Autokinetic Experiment. In this study, participants were asked to estimate how far a point of light moved in a dark room (even though the light didn’t actually move). When placed in groups, participants' answers began to converge, and even when they later gave answers privately, they stuck to the group consensus. This demonstrates how group influence can lead to a lasting change in beliefs.

The Role of Conformity in Society

Conformity plays a significant role in shaping behavior in society, but it’s important to remember that it can have both positive and negative effects. On the one hand, conformity helps maintain social order and encourages people to follow shared rules. On the other hand, it can lead to negative consequences, like in extreme cases such as the Holocaust, where German soldiers followed orders and conformed to harmful ideologies.

Conformity in Modern Life

Conformity doesn’t just happen in experiments or extreme historical examples. It’s present in everyday life, often without us even realizing it. TV shows, social media, and advertising constantly influence our beliefs and behaviors. For example, in the movie Pleasantville, one character struggles with living up to societal expectations of perfection and family life, as presented by the media. This reflects how people often internalize societal norms without even realizing it.

Conclusion: Standing Out

As social creatures, humans naturally want to be accepted by others. Conformity is part of that desire. It can be divided into three levels—compliance, identification, and internalization—each representing different degrees of how much people are influenced by group norms. While conformity helps society function smoothly, it’s also important to remember the value of individuality. As the writer Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Sources:

• Lee, Daugherty, Eskierka, & Hamelin. (2019). Psychological and Social Aspects of Conformity.
• Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. (2019). Conformity Definition.
• McLeod, S. (2018). Asch Conformity Experiment. Simply Psychology.
• Zimbardo, P. (1971). Stanford Prison Experiment.
• Levine, R. (2018). Sherif’s Autokinetic Experiment: The Power of Group Influence.