The Causes And Effects Of Conformity In Society

Conformity is defined as “a change in behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard” (Myers, 2001). As this definition indicates, conformity is a type of social influence through which group members come to share similar beliefs and standards of behavior. To conform is to be part of a certain mindset based on how others are acting and behaving. Individuals often feel the need to conform to the expectations of society, which is important, as this is a significant aspect to keep a community functioning safely (OnStudyNotes, n.d.).

There are many factors that can cause an individual to conform to a standard, such as the size of the group they are in. It has been proven that people in larger groups are more likely to conform to the opinions

Nobody wants to stand out from the crowd and risk the chance of being humiliated or disapproved of by their peers. Everyone wants to fit in and be popular, pretty or cool in some way, to be accepted by their friends and people in their community. People can be very sensitive to social norms, as consequences for being different can be extreme and severe.

As stated by Myers (2001), there are two main causes of influence on society. The first, normative social influence, is the influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval. This type of influence is more common in today’s society, as people are desperate for approval and fear rejection. The second kind of influence is informational social influence, an influence that results from one’s willingness to accept other’s opinions about

Conforming to someone or something, or even society itself, changes one’s state of mind; the way they think, talk, dress, what they listen to, how they act. Conforming to a specific change may convert all elements of a person over time. Conformity has resulted in physical harm, psychological trauma, and promoted social justice and injustice throughout history.

Conformity suggests something negative in Canada, an individualistic society, yet Canadians often pride themselves on being agreeable and able to get along well with others (OnStudyNotes, n.d.). Social media also contributes to the social issue of conforming; models and celebrities being photoshopped and made to look perfect cause ordinary people to follow what they see and hear on social platforms (Sadat, 2011). A high percentage of eating disorders are linked to ‘ideal’ images portrayed in media.

Based on a person’s values and views on a situation, conforming to society can be seen negatively or positively (Myers, 2001). No matter how it is viewed, conformity is a necessary aspect in society that keeps it running safe and smoothly. An excessive amount of conforming in a community can lead to several issues, but maintaining a proper balance sustains an established society that works just as it is meant