Reflection on Group Influence and Conformity

Running head: REFLECTION
Research Paper Assignment
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1REFLECTION
Introduction- Conformity can be defined as the procedure of matching beliefs,
behaviours, and attitudes, to the norms of a particular group (Koban & Wager, 2016). I hold
the belief that group norms are quite implicit and are shared amid several individuals that
guide us, while interacting with others. Several factors that outline the concept of conformity
are namely, group size, prior commitment cohesion, unanimity, status, and public opinion.
The reflective account will elaborate on the fact that group influence and conformity are
closely associated to one another.
Discussion- My experiences till date have made be believe that conformity acts in the
form of a social influence that encompasses a change in personal behaviour or perception,
with the aim of fitting in a group. This variation typically occurs in response to actual
(encompassing the physical attendance of others) and/or fictional (encompassing the burden
of social expectations/norms) group force (McDonald & Crandall, 2015). Furthermore,
although most researchers have elucidated peer pressure as a negative component, I consider
conformity as both good and evil. Being a male, I have often encountered situations where I
had to publicly agree with the decision of a group, I was a part of, thus finding myself
showing conformity with my peers. However, there had been instances where despite
agreeing with the wider opinion, I had privately disagreed with the consensus of the group.
Depending on the knowledge and experiences that I have gained so far, I feel that conformity
is more prevalent among college students.
An excess of new things that are experienced by college students, while adjusting to
their graduate life often create overwhelming situations. In addition, having a strong attribute
of self also makes the transition to college difficult, thus forcing the students to conform to
the ideas and opinions of classmates, who form a large group (O'Hara, Armeli & Tennen,
2015). Young adults are also prone to conformity since adolescence has been identified as a
perilous crisis of life and encompasses a time of sensitive risk taking that involves several