Conformity or Individuality? 4 Unknown Factors That Influence It
“Do you get influenced very easily?”
Alternatively, let us frame the question a little technically.
“Do you conform to others and their ideas very easily?”
Conformity and social pressure are closely related. It is rather common for us to experience pressure to adopt the beliefs and viewpoints of others on a regular basis. We are expected to choose sides in certain situations, but what do social pressure and conformity mean in these circumstances?
What is Social Pressure?
Imagine taking a test and selecting "Apple" as your favourite fruit in 2024. However, as soon as you share your results with your closest friends, you discover that two of them have selected "mango." Even if you're a little afraid after hearing their response, you still believe your response is accurate. As you converse with your peers, you discover that most of them have selected "mango" as their response.
I take it that you're currently under duress? in order to accept the response? The majority can't be wrong because most of them marked the same response, right? Which response would you accept until you were certain of the right response?
Social pressure, to put it simply, is an external influence that people or groups intentionally or inadvertently exert when you are indirectly forced to behave and act in a particular way, such as dressing a certain way, agreeing to a certain opinion, and more. The majority of people choosing one thing acts as a huge factor to conform to a certain thing, and this was just one example.
Is Conformity a Bad Thing?
Not very much. Conformity is a social reality.
We often find ourselves in situations where we are expected to fit in, such as wearing baggy sweaters and trousers, listening to the same music as our closest friend, or perhaps watching the films that your friend suggested.
All of this is OK, but most of the time, conformity is seen negatively and individuality is questioned, which has an adverse effect on one's mental health. For example, doing something out of peer pressure or fear of rejection can cause tension, anxiety, and self-doubt.
4 Factors That Influence Conformity and Mental Health
1. Cohesiveness and Conformity
Which individuals are most likely to have an impact on you—those you like or those you don't? You like these people?
Because they want to be accepted and loved by the people and groups they like, people are most inclined to adopt their beliefs. The more cohesive a group is, the more likely it is that they will adhere to specific standards and ideals. We wouldn't do anything that would cause us to be apart from them. This can be seen both favourably and unfavourably.
If an adolescent is made to participate in a difficult activity by their friends, they are likely to put their discomfort and fear aside in order to gain their friends' approval. Over time, a person's sense of self may be weakened and mental exhaustion may result from continuously sacrificing their desires in order to maintain relationships.
2. Group Size and Conformity
Research indicates that conformity tends to increase with the number of powerful individuals. In fact, scientists say that a group of eight or more people can make a big difference.
For example, in a team meeting at work when the ultimate goal is to choose which advertisement to run, you may like the first option and attempt to defend your choice, while the majority of your team members prefer the second.
In these circumstances, you will have to comply because the majority is on one side. Eventually, you will persuade yourself that you prefer the second option and proceed, even if you disagree with their choice.
3. Status Within a Group
Using the same example from above, let's assume that a senior member supported one side while the majority supported the other.
Do you believe it would be easy for the senior to follow their wishes?
There is typically less pressure on senior members to fit in. Conversely, juniors are under a lot of pressure to agree with what other people are saying. A person's conformance is greatly influenced by their standing within the organization as well as their seniority.
4. Social Norms And How It Affects Behaviour
Social norms are nothing more than unwritten principles and unseen social laws that everyone should already be aware of. We are supposed to act in a way that is acceptable to society and to follow the norms that the majority of people adhere to.
Conformity is influenced by social norms because they make people feel compelled to adhere to them in order to avoid social rejection or criticism. The need for social approval is a powerful incentive, therefore people frequently change their actions, viewpoints, or choices to fit in, even if they go against their inner convictions.
Why Do We Often Choose To Go Along?
Everybody wants to fit in and be liked by others. Therefore, the want to be liked and accepted as well as the desire to be correct along the road are the two main reasons why people typically opt to go along, and that is only achievable when you choose to follow the standards set by the majority of people.
Everyone is curious about how to make people like them, and we typically want to look like them. We make an effort to agree with and act like our parents, instructors, best friends, or crush in order to demonstrate that likeness. We also change our behaviour to fit the expectations of others while doing this.
On the other hand, we constantly strive to accomplish everything correctly. Right in the sense that it's what other people think is right to do. For instance, how can you choose what kind of haircut will work best for you? Or how can you determine whether your social beliefs are accurate? Doesn't everything rely, at least in part, on the beliefs and behaviour of others?
If you ever feel stuck in this cycle, pushing your needs aside just to please others, remember there’s help. Talk to a therapist today. Your mental health is worth it.