Conformity

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“Conformity is a form of social influence that involves a change in behavior or belief so that one can fit in with a certain group” (McLeod). Such a change is a response to imagined (which involves the pressure of expectations or social norms) or real (which involves the presence of others) group pressure. Another definition of conformity can be “yielding to group pressures”. Group pressure can take many forms, for example persuasion, teasing, bullying, criticism etc. Conformity is also referred to as group pressure or majority influence. The term conformity is mostly used to show an agreement to the position of the majority, and this is brought about by either by the desire to be liked or to fit in, or just to match a social role. The aim of this paper is to argue that conformity is among people because they always live in groups-work groups, family, political, religious and social groups. At the same instance, they are adjusted to obey authority. A conformist mentality makes it easy for people to be influenced by others. According to social psychologists a group is composed of more than two individuals who depend and interact with each other in some manner (Lessing). Examples of groups include a class, a football team, a cult etc. Groups normally have various similar features including: norms that determine the right behavior, roles assigned to individuals, which determine what responsibilities and behaviors people should undertake, a communication structure and a power structure, which determines how much influence and authority group members have. For example, a class has norms, like the time people should arrive in class. The role of the professor includes teaching, administering exams and inviting discussions. The ro... ... middle of paper ... ...t Use: The Relationship between Internet Use and Psychological Well-Being. Cyber Psychology & Behavior, 12 (4), 451-455. Moore, T., Clayton, R. & Anderson, R. (2009). The Economics of Online Crime. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 20 (3), 3-20. O’Dell, J. (2013). How Much Data Google & Facebook Have Stored About You. Venture Beat. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from: http://events.venturebeat.com Rausas, P. M., et al. (2011). Internet Matters: the Net’s Sweeping Impact on Growth, Jobs, and Prosperity. McKinsey Global Institute. Tyler, R. T. (2002). Is the Internet Changing Social Life? Journal of Social Issues, 58 (1), 195-205. United Nations. (2013). Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Young, B. (2006). A Study on the Effect of Internet Use and Social Capital on the Academic Performance. Development and Society, 35, 107-123.

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