Group Norms and Conformity

Group Norms and Conformity
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Group Norms and Conformity
Part #1
Groups are one avenue through which social influence is manifested. A group can influence how people make decisions and their general behavior within and outside the group. Each group is identifiable through its norms, values, and beliefs that hold all the members together. Social research on the influence of groups on individuals has identified two ways in which individual group members may respond to the group norms (Torelli, 2006). The individuals can be classified as either conformers or non-conformers. Conformers are those individuals who are willing and able to alter their attitudes, actions, beliefs, and perception to correspond to those held within the larger group they seek to belong to (Torelli, 2006). Therefore, conformity involves moving towards group norms. This is done through either compliance or acceptance (Navarez & Hill, 2010). Compliance involves overt behavior change towards the group norms, while acceptance entails covert perceptional or attitudinal change.
On the other hand, nonconformity refers to the refusal to behave, believe, or hold the same norms that a group has. Nonconformity is achieved through either independence or anti-conformity. Independence occurs when one holds a belief contrary to what a group holds and continues to hold that perspective despite being subjected to group pressure to change (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). An independent person neither compliance nor acceptance of the group norms and beliefs (Torelli, 2006). Conversely, anti-conformity occurs when an individual who holds a different opinion continues to distance himself even further from the group norms after being subjected to group pressure (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004).
The two types of individual behaviors in a group have a significant impact on the behaviors and norms within the group. Conformers are more inclined towards supporting the norms and beliefs of their group. Therefore, a conformer can help the group become more stable, predictable, and unified (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). The conformers create a favorable environment to form and maintain group norms (Torelli, 2006). They are not resistant to group initiatives and will always support the decisions of the group. In most instances, individuals who conform risk losing their individuality to be accepted within the group (Cialdini & Goldstein, 2004). The conformers are obedient within the group as they will be willing to follow the guidelines established by the leaders in the group.
Non-conformers, on the other hand, are opposed to existing group norms and beliefs. Non-conformers often make a conscious decision to behave differently and move away from the group norms (Navarez & Hill, 2010). Through this action, the non-conformers influence the group behavior in three different ways. First, the non-conformers can be creative and spur innovation in the group by their ability to think differently and desire to look different; the non-conformers can bring new ideas into the group that may eventually be acceptable to the broader gro...