Describing

Conformity
and Deviance
Conformity- social influence involving a change
in belief or behavior in order to fit in with a
group. The term conformity is used to indicate
an agreement to the majority position, brought
about either by a desire to
. ‘fit in’ or be liked or

because of a desire to be correct or simply to

conform to a social role.
Social roles-must be performed in connection with the
expected behaviour. Michel Foucault-a French
sociologist famous for saying that whenever there is
power, there is resistance-meaning social norms and
regulations are not totally repressive.

If a social norm or rule prevents someone from doing

certain things, it also allow that person to do other
activities. Thus, norms or rules are not merely
prohibitive. They also shape individuals by disciplining
them to do more productive activities.
SOCIAL CONTROL
Every society has a system of social control or an
attempt by society to regulate people’s thoughts
and behaviour. It encourages conformity to
certain norms and discourages deviance or norm
breaking.
CONFORMITY- behaving in the way that is
accepted by most people
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONFORMITY (Kelman, 1985)

1. COMPLIANCE (group acceptance)

occurs when an individual accepts influence because he hopes to achieve a
favourablereaction from another person or group. He adopts the induced behaviour because
heexpects to gain specific rewards and avoids specific punishment or disapproval by
conformity.
2.INTERNALIZATION (genuine acceptance of group norms)
this occurs when an individual accepts influence because the content of the induced
behaviour-the ideas and actions of which it is composed-is intrinsically rewarding. Headopts
the induced behaviour because it is congruent or consistent with his value system.
3.IDENTIFICATION
this occurs when an individual accepts influence because he wants to establish ormaintain a
satisfying self-defining relationship to another person or group. Individualsconform to the
expectations of a social role (e.g. nurse, police, teachers)
4.INGRATIATIONAL
when a person conforms to impress favour/acceptance from other people. It is similar
tonormative influence, but is motivated by the need for social rewards rather than the
threatof rejection
Deviance- violates social norms, and is usually of
sufficient severity to warrant disapproval from
the majority of society. Deviance, like conformity,
is shaped by society. Each society defines what is
deviant and what is not, and definitions of
deviance differ widely between societies.
-An act that is considered by public consensus or
the powerful at a given place and time to be a
violation of some social rule is called Deviant
behavior
Types of Deviant behavior
a) Infringement or Violation against Self
Examples: drug abuse, suicide, alcoholism, smoking,
illegal gambling, prostitution
b) Violation on life, Property, Liberty and State
Examples: vandalism, abortion, rebellion, juvenile
delinquency, organized crime and syndicate, graft and
corruption.
c) Violation against Sex Code and Laws
Examples: pornography, sexual harassment, sex-
transplant, adultery, homosexuality
 Why We Conform: The Power of Groups
by PhilipZimbardo and Cindy X. Wang

Whenever we change our behavior, views, and attitudes in response to the real
or imagined presence of others, we are experiencing conformity. Why we
conform is a topic of great interest to social psychologists. In particular, the
classic studies of Solomon Asch and MuzaferSherif have shed light on the
determinants of conformity. Their research and that of others (Morton Deutsch
and Hal Gerard) has demonstrated two main types of conformity:
informational and normative. Informative conformity often occurs in situations
in which there is high uncertainty and ambiguity. In an unfamiliar situation, we
are likely to shape our behavior to match that of others. The actions of others
inform us of the customs and accepted practices in a situation. Others inform
us of what is right to do, how to behave in new situations.
In addition to conforming to the group norms due to lack of
knowledge, we also conform when we want to be liked by the
group. This type of conformity, called normative conformity, is
the dominant form of social conformity when we are
concerned about making a good impression in front of a group.
Though we may disagree secretly with the group opinion, we
may verbally adopt the group stance so that we seem like a
team player rather than a deviant. Both of these pressures
impact us every day, for good or for worse. A staple of a
functioning society is that people follow social norms such as
obeying traffic laws, respecting others’ property, and diffusing
aggression in non-violent ways.
However, conformity can have deleterious effects if one conforms
automatically without questioning of the validity of social norms.
In Nazi Germany, many ordinary people did not dissent to the
ongoing atrocities because few other people resisted. Similarly, in
the Stanford Prison Experiment, the subjects adopted the
behavior of cruel and demanding prison guards because that
became the behavioral norm in an alien situation.
In our daily decisions, we should also examine whether
our reasons justify our actions. In an unfamiliar
situation, first ask yourself whether the actions you
observe others performing is rational, warranted, and
consistent with your own principles before
thoughtlessly and automatically adopting them.
Similarly, in a situation in which you want to
impress and be accepted by others, ask
yourself whether the action conflicts with
your moral code, and consider whether you
would be willing to compromise your own
opinion of yourself just so others would have
a higher one of you. Ultimately, you are the
only one who has to live with your actions.
Also take a time out to find out the correct
information. To resist the powers of group
conformity: know what you stand for; determine
how really important it is that these other
people like you, especially when they are
strangers; recognize that there are other groups
who would be delighted to have you as a
member; take a future perspective to imagine
what you will think of your current conforming
action at some time in the future.
 TIME’S
START UP!
TIMER TIME LIMIT:
Slide 2 1 minute

60

50 10

40 20

30
 START
TIME’S
TIMER
UP! TIME LIMIT:
Slide 3 2 minutes

120
110 10

100 20

90 30

80 40

70 50
60
 START
TIME’S
TIMER
UP! TIME LIMIT:
Slide 4 5 minutes

4 1

3 2
 START
TIME’S
TIMER
UP! TIME LIMIT:
Slide 5 10 minutes

10
9 1

8 2

7 3

6 4
5
 START
TIME’S
TIMER
UP! TIME LIMIT:
Slide 6 20 minutes

20
18 2

16 4

14 6

12 8
10
 START
TIME’S
TIMER
UP! TIME LIMIT:
Slide 7 30 minutes

30

25 5

20 10

15