What is conformism and conformal human behavior

Conformism is a term of social psychology that is directly related to the behavior of a person in a small group and means a form of adjustment, obedience and conciliation with the norms and rules established in the group, no matter how they correspond to ethical, cultural and legal norms and rules in society in Whole. Accordingly, the conformal personality is a type of person who, in the external attributes of life, in clothing, appearance, and in all other spheres, avoids the manifestation of individuality and fully accepts the rules of behavior, tastes and lifestyle of the environment. Sociologists and psychologists often define conformism as a style of behavior that is characterized by the "blind" acceptance of someone else's opinion in order to avoid unnecessary problems and difficulties, gain credibility, achieve the set goal.

In the process of socialization, conformal human behavior inevitably plays both a positive and a negative role. On the one hand, it often leads to the correction of certain mistakes, when the individual accepts the majority's opinion, which is correct; on the other hand, excessive conformism hinders the assertion of the individual's self, his own opinion and behavior. Success in the process of socialization is associated with a reasonable proportion of conformism, when it is combined with adequate self-esteem and sufficient self-confidence.

In the negative sense, conformal behavior is characterized by three main aspects:

Expressed absence of their own views and beliefs, behavior of the device, caused by weakness of character.

Orientation in behavior to full agreement with the views, values, rules and norms of the majority in order to achieve a specific goal.

Submission to the pressure of the group, and as a result, the complete adoption of the rules of conduct of other members of the group. Under pressure, the individual begins to think, feel and act like the majority.

Conformal human behavior is divided into two types: internal and external subordination to the group. External subordination is always associated with the conscious (sometimes forced) adoption of regulatory rules and adaptation to the opinion of the majority. It, as a rule, generates a deep intrapersonal conflict, although it happens that such a conflict does not arise.

Internal subordination is the perception of the group's opinion as its own, and the observance of rules and norms of behavior not only within the group, but also outside it, and developing its own logical explanation and justification for this choice.

According to the types, conformal human behavior is divided into three levels: the level of subordination, limiting the influence of the group on the individual in one particular situation, lasting for a short time and having only an external character; The level of identification when the person partially or completely assimilates himself to another, or the members of the group expect each other to behave differently; The level of internalization, when the personality values system coincides with the group's values system and it is relatively independent of external influences.

Conformal human behavior is always associated with a number of specific factors that generate it. First, it manifests itself only in the presence of conflict between the group and a single person. Secondly, it manifests itself only under the psychological influence of the group (negative assessments, general opinions, offensive jokes, etc.). Third, the degree of conformality is influenced by group factors such as its size, structure and degree of cohesion, as well as the individual and personal characteristics of its members.

So, the conformal behavior of a person should not always be viewed in a negative aspect. Reasonable submission to the established norms and rules in the society, but at the same time the preservation of one's own self, adequate self-esteem and evaluation of what is happening around contributes to the process of socialization. But such a phenomenon as non-conformism - denial and rejection of all norms and values that are established in society, is not an alternative to comformism, but only a manifestation of negativism.