Conformity Psychology: The Effects Of Social Influence On Decisions

The pressure to conform and fit in socially can be challenging for many people. The desire to connect with peers and be liked is often based on human survival and behavior. It can be helpful to look at the psychology behind conformity, what it can do to a person, and how to seek support if you want to challenge conformity and feel more confident in your individuality. 

What is conformity?

When some people imagine conformity, they might imagine agreeing or acting in agreement with most people in a group to be seen as "normal" within one's sphere of social influence. As defined by the American Psychological Association (APA), conformity is "the adjustment of one's opinions, judgments, or actions to be more consistent with either the opinions, judgments, actions of others" or "the normative standards of a social group or situation." 

Why do people conform? 

There are many proposed reasons why people conform to society. For example, one might not want to be seen as the "odd" person out, as they may lose their social support system. In ancient history, people conformed to the group to remain safe. People who strayed from group ideals or needs were often outcasts. Although some outcasts may have started new movements or groups, others may have lost their ability to provide for themselves. 

Other influences that can be explored include the following: 

• Normative influence: The desire to have others like and accept you
• Informational influence: A change in thoughts or behaviors based on information provided by another group participant to conform to that view out of a desire to be right

The types of conformity

Many different types of conformity can play a role in decision-making, including the following: 

• Informational conformity: An individual does not have knowledge or resources and turns to the group for the answer.
• Normative conformity: An individual changes their behavior to fit in with others.
• Identification: Individuals conform to expectations, altering their behaviors to maintain a specific role.
• Internalization: Individuals change themselves to be more like another person or group.

While conformity can be a conscious decision, it can also happen without much awareness and thought. If more people in a group conform, an outside individual may be more likely to do the same, even if they don't understand why. 

The influence of group behavior

Often, a significant aspect of conformity is not the individual's response but the influence and response of an entire group. It can involve how people behave in certain situations, where people get into groups for multiple reasons and, from there, start to develop behaviors that follow the group. 

Many humans form social groups, and while groups are not inherently unhealthy, a group can have a powerful influence over behavior. People join groups for many reasons, whether for survival, safety, control, power, social status, achievement, or companionship. 

In a group, a mode of thinking termed groupthink can occur, which refers to a tendency of participants of a group to reach a conclusion out of perceived consensus, regardless of whether the individuals see the idea as correct or ideal. Groupthink can involve minimizing the conflict and, from there, deciding without evaluating different viewpoints. 

Factors that influence whether a person conforms

Several factors may affect conformity, especially when it comes to group tasks. For instance, some of the following factors may have an effect: 

• Group size
• Difficulty of the task 
• Unanimity
• The presence of an authority figure in a specific group
• Cultural differences (collectivist culture vs. individualistic cultures)
• Situational characteristics
• Individual differences 

Conformity vs. independence and individuality

Both individuals and groups may benefit when each person feels free to express their true opinion. Freedom to express individual judgment may increase minority influence (i.e., opinions of the few who disagree), which may sometimes lead to more balanced decision-making by the group, as excessive majority influence on the group dynamics can sometimes lead to poor outcomes. 

Conformity and mental health: Achieving confidence in your individuality 

Pressure to conform can have real effects on a person’s mental health and well-being. Some people may experience stress when they suppress their true opinion in order not to be cast out from a peer group. If you feel this pressure and want to be more confident in your individuality and identity, a therapist may be a beneficial resource.

Some people may find themselves conforming to group pressure due to a desire to be liked and approved of by others. There can be many dynamics in these experiences, including low self-esteem. Research has shown that online therapy can be effective for improving self-esteem. Online therapy may also help you explore boundaries and take steps to improve your decision-making. With online therapy, you can get matched with a therapist based on your unique needs, and then it's easy to switch therapists if you don't find your match initially. You can attend therapy sessions via audio, video calls, or live chat at a time that suits your schedule.