We know what social conformity is and what causes it. Here are some factors that influence it and ways we should deal with it.
1. Conformity begins with 3 people: One of the most important factors affecting whether or not people conform is the size of the group around them. Maximum conformity is seen when groups reach between 3 and 5 people.
2. Social conformity starts at age 12: Children start conforming with others from the age of 12 onwards. Before that, children largely do their own thing and are unaffected by others. From 12, though, people are more strongly influenced by society.
3. Dissent reduces conformity: As soon as there’s someone who disagrees, or even just dithers or can’t decide, conformity is reduced.
4. In-groups make conformity stronger: People conform much more strongly to others who are in the same group as them. Examples of ‘in-groups’ include sports clubs, churches, and your nationality, among many, many others.
5. Good moods lead to conformity: Moods can have complex effects on conformity, but there’s some evidence that we’re more likely to conform when we’re in a good mood than a bad mood One dastardly emotional technique for increasing conformity is using fear and then relief. Make someone afraid of something, then relieve that fear, then they’re more likely to do what you want.
6. Need for social approval increases conformity: People use conformity to ingratiate themselves with others. Conforming also makes people feel better about themselves by bolstering self-confidence. Some people have a greater need for liking from others so they are more likely to conform. Nonconformity and self-confidence go hand-in-hand.
7. How culture affects conformity: Western cultures have more individualist attitudes so people from those cultures are less likely in general to conform.
8. Conforming to authority figures: When faced with an authority figure, mere conformity can be transformed into obedience.
9. Social conformity: Other people affect us even when they’re not present. Whether or not we recycle, litter the street or evade tax often comes down to our perception of society’s view. Most of us are strongly influenced by thinking about how others would behave in the same situation we are in, especially when we are unsure how to act.
10. Conformity and reciprocation: The power of reciprocation is frequently undervalued, but it is incredibly strong and influential across all human cultures. On an everyday level it means that if I give you something, you feel compelled to give me something back.
Conformity is not in itself a good or a bad thing.
For example, creativity is built on some of the pillars of nonconformity: ignoring social norms and authority, eschewing social approval, rejecting structure, and cultivating dissent.
On the other hand, many of society’s most basic institutions—government, finance, transport, and education—would collapse if people didn’t conform.
This list gives you all sorts of ways to think about your own and other people’s conformity. You need to be creative to think about how these processes can help you achieve your aims, whether it’s in business, your personal life, online, or elsewhere