Conformity: Definition, Theories, Positive and Negative Impacts, and Role in Social Work

Running Head: Y2 Cognitive and Social Psychology
Y2 Cognitive and Social Psychology
Conformity

Y2 Cognitive and Social Psychology 1
Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Conformity Definition and what it refers to................................................................................................2
Theories involved in Conformity..................................................................................................................2
Social Comparison Theory.......................................................................................................................2
Social Influence Theory............................................................................................................................3
Positive and Negative conformity................................................................................................................4
Conformity Impacts as a Social Worker.......................................................................................................4
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................5
References...................................................................................................................................................6

Y2 Cognitive and Social Psychology 2
Introduction
Conformity is the kind of an act which is related to changing of the behavior just to match with
the responses of others. A few hundred years ago, Deutsch & Gerard, differentiated in between
the two: informational and normal conformity. The first was based on the wish to form the exact
interpretation of the reality and the behavior. And the second one was based on the goals to
obtain approval socially from others (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). Conformity is generally taken
as a criticized feature of the human belief formation. It is also considered as the negative
influence over reliability (James, 2008). This report focuses on the definition of the conformity
and its theories that are related to it. Also the analysis of the idea of conformity is done.
Conformity Definition and what it refers to
Conformity is the act in which people will come up with the same behavior as others by
changing attitudes and behaviors. It usually occurs in the small groups or in the society on the
whole. It can either occur in front of others or individually too. The best example of this is
people following social norms while watching TV or even when they are alone. It is generally
associated with the young age people but it may occur in any ages of people (Bernheim & Exley,
2015). The final explanation for it is social influence. People might conform according to others
choices if they fear the society.
Theories involved in Conformity
Social Comparison Theory
Social comparison is the habit for evaluating oneself and comparing to others. This is a
significant source of behavior which is competitive. This theory states that the people who are
driven by the basic drive upward, they improve their performance and at the same time they
reduce discrepancies between them and other people’s level of performance. This act of