Summary Of Conformity Compliance And Obedience
Conformity, compliance, and obedience impact the lives of groups and individuals more often than most realize. These social influences may encompass either destructive, constructive, or neutral behaviors (Kassin, 2015). Why people behave the way they do when in groups is worth exploring. Humans exert social control over others through various forms of manipulation without them realizing they are being influenced. Social influence includes individuals changing their behaviors to adhere to existing social norms, obeying a request of another, or obeying orders from an authoritarian figure.
Summary Points
Conformity
Altering behaviors or making a change in opinions or perceptions to fit in with a group or is exhibiting conformist behavior.
A natural tendency of human beings is the need to belong amidst others. From the earliest humans, group cooperation was paramount to the survival of mankind. Although people may not need to depend on others as their ancient ancestors, the parts of the brain responsible for triggering the survival mode is still at work, and advantageous for navigating today’s world (Kassin, 2015). In fact, technology allowing a look into the human brain proves that not only do people conform to be part of a group, but even their perceptions and judgments are altered as well. Group attachments, such as those found in various clubs, fraternities, sports teams or clubs facilitate bonding within the group. Solidarity within a group may enhance self-esteem and other areas in one’s life not associated with the group (Hawley, Hosch & Bovaird, 2014; Rees & Wallace, 2014). Even though belonging to a group brings about mostly positive effects, sometimes the strong bonds formed within the group may lead to bias against others who are not part of the group. This “black sheep effect” is common among group members whose bond is strong and success is dependent upon the performance of the entire group as a whole (Hawley et al., 2014).
Compliance
Situations often call for people to comply with a request to make purchases, vote for a particular candidate, or help someone in need. Sales and advertising companies have learned that their time-tested techniques for getting individuals to bend to their will really do work. Depending on the intended target the strategies used to coax someone into compliance may vary significantly. Subtle manipulations begin with a simple request but enlarge in scope until the desired result is gained. Commitment plays a crucial role in whether or not people will feel the need to comply. When a particular decision has been made, a person may feel they must comply, even if an original agreement has been broken. Furthermore, compliance could stem from a need to fulfill an obligation even if, in reality, they are under no such obligation (Kassin, 2015). Consequently, adolescents feel the need to use alcohol because their friends drink. Young people are susceptible to peer pressure because children want to fit in with their social groups (Rees & Wallace, 2014).
Obedience
One phenomenon of social influence is that of obedience, and why people go along with orders from authoritarian figures so quickly. Blind obedience can range from reasonably harmless, such as obeying someone in uniform, based merely on what they are wearing, to something more sinister. Millions of Jews were killed during the Holocaust by executions who willingly participated on the basis of following orders (Kassin, 2015). However, there are some who have the capacity to resist social pressures. Conclusion There is no denying social influences are all around us. As much as we would like to say these forces don’t have an effect on us, they do. We see advertisements compelling us to buy a particular item, vote for a particular candidate, or drink a certain soda. Whether it comes from peer pressure or other social pressures, social influences are more than surrendering to the group norms. Social influences help steer us through our social lives.
Summary Points
Conformity
Altering behaviors or making a change in opinions or perceptions to fit in with a group or is exhibiting conformist behavior.
A natural tendency of human beings is the need to belong amidst others. From the earliest humans, group cooperation was paramount to the survival of mankind. Although people may not need to depend on others as their ancient ancestors, the parts of the brain responsible for triggering the survival mode is still at work, and advantageous for navigating today’s world (Kassin, 2015). In fact, technology allowing a look into the human brain proves that not only do people conform to be part of a group, but even their perceptions and judgments are altered as well. Group attachments, such as those found in various clubs, fraternities, sports teams or clubs facilitate bonding within the group. Solidarity within a group may enhance self-esteem and other areas in one’s life not associated with the group (Hawley, Hosch & Bovaird, 2014; Rees & Wallace, 2014). Even though belonging to a group brings about mostly positive effects, sometimes the strong bonds formed within the group may lead to bias against others who are not part of the group. This “black sheep effect” is common among group members whose bond is strong and success is dependent upon the performance of the entire group as a whole (Hawley et al., 2014).
Compliance
Situations often call for people to comply with a request to make purchases, vote for a particular candidate, or help someone in need. Sales and advertising companies have learned that their time-tested techniques for getting individuals to bend to their will really do work. Depending on the intended target the strategies used to coax someone into compliance may vary significantly. Subtle manipulations begin with a simple request but enlarge in scope until the desired result is gained. Commitment plays a crucial role in whether or not people will feel the need to comply. When a particular decision has been made, a person may feel they must comply, even if an original agreement has been broken. Furthermore, compliance could stem from a need to fulfill an obligation even if, in reality, they are under no such obligation (Kassin, 2015). Consequently, adolescents feel the need to use alcohol because their friends drink. Young people are susceptible to peer pressure because children want to fit in with their social groups (Rees & Wallace, 2014).
Obedience
One phenomenon of social influence is that of obedience, and why people go along with orders from authoritarian figures so quickly. Blind obedience can range from reasonably harmless, such as obeying someone in uniform, based merely on what they are wearing, to something more sinister. Millions of Jews were killed during the Holocaust by executions who willingly participated on the basis of following orders (Kassin, 2015). However, there are some who have the capacity to resist social pressures. Conclusion There is no denying social influences are all around us. As much as we would like to say these forces don’t have an effect on us, they do. We see advertisements compelling us to buy a particular item, vote for a particular candidate, or drink a certain soda. Whether it comes from peer pressure or other social pressures, social influences are more than surrendering to the group norms. Social influences help steer us through our social lives.