Societal Conformity Research

Conformity is often described as behaving the same way as everyone else to fit in. While it often has a negative connotation, conformity is an interesting phenomenon that is present in all parts of human society and can be both good and bad. Conformity is a theme present throughout many literary works, and there have been countless studies on it and its effects on people. Some of the most interesting examples can be seen in The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, The Lemming Condition, and the Milgram Experiment.

We conform because we want to fit in and feel accepted. Unfortunately, by conforming, we allow others to shape our personalities, behavior and thoughts, taking away our ability to be ourselves. The principle of Emerson’s quote is true: joining a society does indeed take away our liberties and individualism. It is up to us to try to live up to Emerson’s statement of ideal behavior, ““It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of

People do many different things in attempt to fit in, even while wanting to make a difference. However, that person could be too afraid to do so, and instead go along with the crowd. This is conformity, trying to blend in with society just because they’re too afraid to speak out. A person can live a fulfilled life by not conforming to society’s standards and opinions, and by living their life bravely.

Conformity is a struggle that people encounter everyday in society. There are many examples of the different types of conformity in the world. Some of these types are in the examples I am going to discuss. In “The Sociology of the Leopard Man”, “Two Kinds”, and Dead Poet Society we learn that it is not always a good idea to conform. Although conformity can be good, I believe that it is even better for people to step out of their comfort zone and not be afraid to show who they really are.

Conformity is submitting to the majority to fit in, usually because of fear of rejection. For myself I used to want to be accepted by people in school, I felt as though I had to dress like other girls and talk like everyone else in order to get friends and to be liked. To listen to all rap music like everyone or have to watch the Kardashian reality show in order to fit in and have something to talk about with people because that is considered “cool”. When you are different you are made to feel bad and not accepted and it hurts. I am slowly starting to realize that I don’t need to act like everyone else because the people who accept my difference, as well as their own, are my real friends and no one else should matter. Thoreau

In society, social norms are important because they help us figure out how to behave appropriately in different social situations. If one does not follow social norms then it is possible that others may reject that person and exclude them from their social groups. Conformity, according to the textbook on page 511, is when “…[somebody] matches their behavior and appearance to the perceived social norms of a group”. Social norms allow people to show conformity with others so that they are not excluded and rejected by their peers and can live a sociable life. It also helps them get along better with friends and deepen bonds in relationships. Along with conformity, social norms also help society understand obedience, which is “…compliance

According to Logan Feys , he says “Conformity can be seen as the world’s most common but dangerous psychological disorder.”In the story/documents of The sociology of Leopard Man, The Pedestrian, and Dead Poets Society talks about what non-conformity is about. It explains the difference between conformity and nonconformity. As we are members of conformity in today’s society, we cannot break out into the world of creativity. As we are bound to this, I believe that others should step out into the world and show who they really are in their abilities to create and follow their own voice, only then are we able to break out of this cage.

Americans today tend to believe that Conformity can not lead to consequences and that is not true Conformity is a giant risk to take or do. Just like Truman stated “Modern life is confusing, so sometimes our vision is blurred” by that he means that we don't always do what we are supposed to, we kind of just follow. Following is what they and by they I mean we think is fitting in but it usually it is noted most of the time you could get hurt or lost maybe it could even cause death. It is often said that conformity is normal but how do we no non conformist aren't the actual conformist. Conformity can be peer pressure and no one likes the malice feeling to that but it could really ruin your life.

To conform or to not conform is the real question. Google defines conformity as “Compliance with standards, rules, or laws.” I define conformity as someone going along with society although they may or may not believe it’s the right thing to do. The people who refuse to conform to society are called nonconformist. Although both conformity and nonconformity has its benefits, it can also be unfavorable for you. In other words, IT SUCKS!! And this demonstrated through both fictional stories and in real life. Two very good examples are Snowball the pig (conformist) from the book “Animal Farm” By George Orwell and Summer Pimp (nonconformist) who used to be one of my good friends.

Humans conform to society’s demands naturally as a way to survive, but not all seem to “fit in.” Conformists are people that follow the cues of society. Nonconformists are people that do not follow specific ideas or laws of society. Determining whether or not nonconformists really exist may differ with each individuals’ definition of conformity and nonconformity. Nonconformists are separate from conformists because they escape society’s pressures, consider themselves as individuals, and live happier lives than if they were conformists.

The truth is individuality and conformity are merely different sides of the same coin. We cannot have one without the other. We cannot have conformity unless there are individuals to conform. And we cannot have individuality unless there is conformity to break free of. Although conformity can be interpreted as a loss of freedom, without it society would be reduced to chaos. Although we were all born equal, we were all born different. Although we all share the same fears, feelings, and fancies, we express them differently. Although there may be little difference between one person and another, that little difference is still important.

Conformity becomes a bad thing when we start to conform in place of thinking to belong to a group or so as not to be different. When this happens we tend to take on the

I feel as though it is both a good and bad event when individuals conform to the rules and wishes of the others surrounding them. I feel as though it is acceptable to conform to the works and laws of others to a certain point. Nevertheless, this point should not be crossed when it gets to the point of being the exact same as other people or you are not doing correct or acceptable things. Certain problems are avoided when conforming occurs, such as being different than everyone else, being ridiculed or having others not accept you or disapprove of who you are for standing out. Moreover, most times when you do stand out there could be some penalties that can occur if you don't make the correct decisions, which can result in the government stepping

Each day, people make decisions that are influenced by what is considered normal in society. Whether it’s the clothes they wear, the activities do, the things they say, or the way they act, everybody participates in conformity on some level. The archetype of conformity is represented all throughout the short film, Destino, and the Broadway play, Sunday in the Park with George, by showing how one can stay true to themself despite social norms, how one is forced to conform to social norms within society, and the struggle of attempting to remain true to oneself despite conformity around them. Is it always in one’s best interest to conform to these social norms?

In today’s society, people believe that they need to conform to other’s ideas and ways. Conforming to others takes away from being an individual. People need to be themselves and not like someone else just because society says so. Fitting in with people is not always what it seems to be. Just because everyone is doing it does not mean it is right. People should be who they want to be, not who they think they need to be. Everyone should be their own individual person.