Why Do We Conform?

Conformity bias is when individuals tend to act based on the behavior of others instead of relying on their own judgment. In the current era of digital technology, conformity bias subtly impacts user actions, guiding choices without being consciously recognized. People frequently tend to go along with the majority, influenced by social proof instead of their own personal judgment. Conformity bias also referred to as social conformity, is a psychological phenomenon where individuals tend to go along with the group and agree with the majority, even if it may not be the optimal decision. This has the potential to influence our decision-making and constrain our capacity to think freely or generate innovative thoughts. The impact of social conformity bias in society is so powerful that human psychology and behavior cannot be fully understood without taking it into account. Conformity bias in social psychology is when individuals alter their behaviors, beliefs, or attitudes to match those of others.

What Causes Conformity Bias?

Knowing when we conform has various practical advantages in daily life, depending on your goals: it can aid in comprehending your own actions and predicting how others will act in various situations. Truly, the conformity bias can lead individuals to blindly mimic the group instead of relying on their ethical discernment. At times, we adhere to the group's norms to prevent appearing silly. This inclination can be especially powerful when we are uncertain about how to behave or when the expectations are unclear. Even though conformity is frequently criticized, it is not always a harmful influence. Conformity, when at its peak, provides a feeling of fitting in and being part of a group, as well as promoting individuals to follow ethical norms. At its most severe, it can reveal a person's most negative tendencies and even lead to the justification and execution of massive atrocities.

Typically, individuals conform due to their identification with a particular group. In practice, an individual must follow the norms and rules of the group to be fully embraced as a member. Individuals acquire social abilities at a young age by watching and imitating the actions of those around them. As people age, the societal expectations to adhere to group standards intensify. Experienced group members can employ different methods to influence newcomers to adhere, such as praising, criticizing, bullying, or demonstrating "appropriate" behavior.

A moderate level of conformity can result in greater social cohesion, at both individual and societal scales. Individuals adhere to social norms for different motivations, including both advantageous and disadvantageous factors. People conform for two main reasons: Informational Conformity and Normative Conformity. Individuals tend to conform to information when they lack knowledge or experience. They might also alter their actions to prevent appearing foolish or wrong. Individuals may conform to social norms to prevent being punished, mocked, or isolated for not blending in with the group. They might also adjust their behavior to gain approval or liking from other group members. There are numerous reasons why individuals conform to the group. Two of the main motivations are to gain knowledge and prevent being denied.

For Further Reading

Robert B. Cialdini and Noah J. Goldstein (2004). SOCIAL INFLUENCE: Compliance and Conformity. Annu. Rev. Psychol. 55: 591–621. doi: 10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.142015

Quinn A, Schlenker BR (2002). Can accountability produce independence? Goals as determinants of the impact of accountability on conformity. Personal. Soc. Psychol. Bull. 28: 472–83.

Dalal, A. K. and Misra, G. (2010). The core and context of Indian psychology. Psychology and Developing Societies, 22(1): 121 – 155.