Conformity is the term given to the act of matching one's character and personality attributes to one that is socially accepted and perceived as "normal" in the current situation or group. This could include the alteration of one's attitude, belief or general behavior. Conformity is generally considered to be most common in adolescent years and teenagers as they aim to be accepted by peers and social groups. Most people, including adults, however do sometimes conform to some standard.
Conforming could involve altering such aspects of oneself as their generalbehaviors, their opinions, such physical attributes as hair length and fashion style, religious and ethical views, etc.
There are many reasons and situations in which people may conform. In adolescent years, people conform by altering their personalities andopinions in order to fit in better with social groups. This allows people to gain security within a group and deflect criticism from peers and/or bullying.
Not all forms of conformation are negative. Such positive forms of conformation could be conforming to set of unwritten rules on how to behave in certain situations. For example, driving on the correct side of the road, giving tips to waiters and waitresses, holding doors open for other people, etc. Although these seem like common courtesy and/or lawful obligations, people are conforming to these in the sense that they allow thebehavior of other people to affect their own.
Another example is the conforming to desirable authorities, for example laws on such negative acts as murder, theft, drinking and driving, etc. Although law enforces these rules, people are happy to conform to thenegative views expressed to the breaking or disregard of them. This can also be applied to other social views such as homophobia, racism, and sexism.
There are many factors that may increase the likelihood of people conforming. Social pressure to try something new, altering opinion or a change in belief is one example. Media has a strong effect on peopleopinions and beliefs, whether it's consciously or subconsciously. For example, a news report on a new medical epidemic becoming apparent may influence the conformation by people to panic and/or believe that they carry the disease. In certain situations people conform to certain behaviorsthat they don't personally agree with or are usually part of. This can be apparent in many social situations such as participation in inside jokes, etc, in places of work and schools.
Conforming could involve altering such aspects of oneself as their generalbehaviors, their opinions, such physical attributes as hair length and fashion style, religious and ethical views, etc.
There are many reasons and situations in which people may conform. In adolescent years, people conform by altering their personalities andopinions in order to fit in better with social groups. This allows people to gain security within a group and deflect criticism from peers and/or bullying.
Not all forms of conformation are negative. Such positive forms of conformation could be conforming to set of unwritten rules on how to behave in certain situations. For example, driving on the correct side of the road, giving tips to waiters and waitresses, holding doors open for other people, etc. Although these seem like common courtesy and/or lawful obligations, people are conforming to these in the sense that they allow thebehavior of other people to affect their own.
Another example is the conforming to desirable authorities, for example laws on such negative acts as murder, theft, drinking and driving, etc. Although law enforces these rules, people are happy to conform to thenegative views expressed to the breaking or disregard of them. This can also be applied to other social views such as homophobia, racism, and sexism.
There are many factors that may increase the likelihood of people conforming. Social pressure to try something new, altering opinion or a change in belief is one example. Media has a strong effect on peopleopinions and beliefs, whether it's consciously or subconsciously. For example, a news report on a new medical epidemic becoming apparent may influence the conformation by people to panic and/or believe that they carry the disease. In certain situations people conform to certain behaviorsthat they don't personally agree with or are usually part of. This can be apparent in many social situations such as participation in inside jokes, etc, in places of work and schools.
Conformity is adapting your behaviour, lifestyle etc to fit in with people around you. People conform out of fear, desire for approval and genuine belief that others are right, among others. Likelihood of conforming is increased by a deeply ingrained religious or other cultural belief that one's society/community etc knows best, or by a clear system of rewards for conforming, or by some kind of crisis or change situation that makes people less willing to go against the majority.
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