Examples Of Strict Conformity

Do you think strict conformity can also be a form of deviance? Why or why not? In certain circumstances or situations strict conformity can be a form of deviance, but it can also not be. So, it can go both ways. Deviance is a violation of a rule understood by the majority of the group(pg. 5). An example of strict conformity not being a form of deviance, in the military when the soldiers are marching, they are going the same speed and there are all in sync with each other. They are all in compliance because they have one common goal, therefore no one is deviating. Strict conformity can lead others to deviant behavior if your actions influences or effects them in any negative way. In the video, the drivers probably felt trapped and felt they had lost their sense of control.

The cars behind the students were being forced to drive a certain speed limit which they had no control over, especially the ones that were stuck between the cars and could not change lanes.

Most of the drivers probably had important places they had to be which can lead to frustration, road rage, verbal abuse and or erratic behavior. It can also be noted that, one driver drove his vehicle on to the emergency lane to bypass a moving vehicle and clipped a car. Not all of the cars did that, so whether a person decides to act in a deviant manner or escalate the situation also depends on their personal characteristics and there level of emotional maturity. Whether conformity is a form of deviance depends on what the group is conforming to and if they have all have the same goal or mission. Who would have thought that if everyone followed the law it could cause a

problem.
Can you think of other circumstances in which strict conformity might be considered deviant? Robert Merton used the concept of conformity to refer to the acceptance of the cultural goals and the legitimate ways of achieving them(pg. 134). When a person joins a gang or a criminal organization, usually it is teenager or adolescent they conform to that group and are expected to follow the rules and norms of the group even though they may be criminal or deviant in nature. Even though there may be strict conformity, it is still deviant because of the attitudes and beliefs of the gang or criminal organization they have chosen to join. Conformity is changing your behavior or beliefs so you can fit into a group or social setting. At times people know what they are doing is wrong or not acceptable but choose do it anyway to get along with the group or not be outcasted. Another example would be when the public is protesting, which they have the right to do. When protesters start getting aggressive, throwing rocks and bottles at police, blocking or disrupting major roads and highways it turns into deviant behavior. Sometimes one person may commit a deviant act and others witnessing this join in because of social pressure. At some point it crosses the line and becomes deviance.