Why do people conform? Explanations(theories of conformity) There are two type of social influence. One of it is normative social influence, it is based on our desire to be liked. We conform because we want to be appear ‘normal’ and we think that others will approve of and accept us. Going against the majority might lead to exclusion or rejection from the group.
As stated above majority influence is when adapt the behaviour, attitudes or values of the majority after being exposed to their values or behaviour. They publicly yield to group pressure. This is also known as compliance. In cases they yield privately and this is called internalization. The majority are able to influence because of other peoples desire to be accept or their desire to be accepted or their desire to be right.
Milgram claims that the presence of allies who resist an authority figure makes individuals more confident in their ability to do the same. Individuals are able to use the defiance of their peers as a chance to remove themselves from causing further harm to the victim. Human beings have a tendency to obey anyone who has a commanding presence. By questioning the legitimacy of an order, or the person’s right to give it, people are more
Conformity within a group entails members changing their attitudes and beliefs in order to match those of others within the group. Those that conform tend to be obedient and compliant. In order to conform, the group member must attribute someone as having the legitimacy and credibility to lead or influence the group's behaviour. Without this "leader", conformity toward the group's goals will be less prevalent. If a member of the group fails to conform to the groups needs, he/she would lose credibility with the rest of the group.
We sometimes seem wired to adopt the goals of the people around us, particularly when we develop a close relationship with them. Of course, that can be a positive or negative thing depending on what the people around us are doing. For that reason, we have to be careful to surround ourselves with other people who are engaging in behaviours that we would like to see in ourselves. If one is unable to feel adequate enough within a group or is not fully comfortable with themselves, there is a chance one may conform in order to fit in. ‘The more insecure people feel, the more conformist they become.’- John Elder.
Terrorists, extremists, and single-minded dictatorships believe in this, while the general people see it as a cruel and selfish way of accomplishing a task. Most of the time, when someone is taking into account the outcomes of a decision, they are often assured that what they are doing is indeed needed and the world cannot go on without it. One also often goes over the decision many times as to make sure they aren’t doing the wrong thing, but the more one goes over the decision to do something, they are also unconsciously reassuring themselves that what they are doing is wrong. The brain unintentionally distorts the view in which one is considering to make it seem as if it is rational and right. Also outside factors take into account the belief that an extreme action is needed.
The research into conformity by Asch suggests that participants are more likely to conform to majority influence even if the answer was obvious. There is always a strong pressure from a group to yield especially in front of a majority. People are more likely to change because they don’t want to be a minority in a group so they soon doubt their own judgement. This suggests that people experience normative social influence as people want to be liked and to be accepted. Another explanation is gradual commitment.
By accommodating with their differences and focusing on what their task at hand is they will be able to stop focusing on their petty differences and focus solely on the task at hand. This would work in a perfect world this would work however, as human beings we tend to hold on to our grudges until our next tipping point. With the help of a little management in the course of this strategy it just might be successful. 4. What potential road blocks might be encountered in resolving the conflict?
Trustworthiness is an important concept that most people have different general understandings of. Some people have strict measures of trust whereas other people choose to listen to their hearts due to a general feeling about who can be trusted and who can not. Trust exists when it comes to romantic relationships, friendships, meeting someone new, interviewing someone for a job position, or buying something from a salesperson. Every role a person plays, every comment made, every conversation had, and every action displayed will determine whether or not a person can be trusted. When it comes to deciding whether or not to trust someone, one might ask him/herself, “Can I believe you?”, “Do I agree?”, “Do we have similarities?”, or “Is what you are telling me factual?” Trust is something that must be earned and trust can easily be lost, however, for this particular research, I want to shift the focus to trust after first impressions.
In certain situations that include violence, peer pressure, and lack of responsibility, most people are likely to throw common sense aside and follow the orders of a higher authority figure. People’s common sense is influenced when they are in a situation that gives them power to control others, when they are under pressure by people in a group atmosphere, and when they are not forced to take responsibility for their actions. When given permission by a higher authority to harm or injure another human being, many would assume that common sense comes into effect and people would make the morally correct decision. However, studies of obedient behavior illustrate how compliant people can be when in the presence of an authoritative figure. For example, when an authority figure assures a subject that full responsibility is not the subject’s, he or she is more likely to continue even if it causes harm to another person.