Conformity vs. Obedience: What’s Your Opinion?

Another great discussion I just had to share as I’m very interested in hearing what everyone else has to say……

When looking at conformity and obedience there are numerous similarities and just as many differences. Both are a result of social influence and both form behavior as well as similarity in action; however, each result from a different set of circumstances and carry with them a different set of rules.Conformity is a form of social influence in which individuals bend their attitudes and or behaviors in order to comply with a group norm. Conformity is a choice made by the individual that is usually done so in effort to fit in and to avoid standing out or being cast out of social groups (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). Fueled mostly by groupthink concepts, a need for cohesiveness, a need for social acceptance, and a fear of rejection, conformity has both negative and positive outcomes and is present in every society.

Seen most often in groups of low socioeconomic status, conformity is more powerful when involving larger groups who have culturally acceptable goals (Shiraev & Levy, 2010), but in this case it also has the most positive outcomes. For example, If 80 out of 120 kids in the third grade voted they love fresh fruit. Later that day, Bobby (who voted he didn’t like fresh fruit) finds himself surrounded by groups of fresh fruit lovers talking about how they couldn’t believe that anyone could dislike fresh fruit. One of the fresh fruit lovers nudges Bobby and says “what do you think?” Even though Bobby voted no and he truly doesn’t like fresh fruit he answers ” I think it’s crazy not to like it,” despite that it goes against his true feelings. Bobby does this because he fears rejection from the surrounding group (the majority) and knows that if he does stand up for what he believes, he’ll not only be rejected but will have to debate with all the people who disagree.

 Obedience, on the other hand, is much like conformity in that it is a form of social influence, it results in compliance, is present in every society, and can be seen as having both negative and positive outcomes; however,  in many instances it is less voluntary. Obedience is compliance to an ordered request (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). Unlike making a conscious decision to conform for social benefit, obeying a law, a person, or a rule in order to avoid punishment or unpleasant consequences is generally more necessary than conformity. Obedience involves a threat or known undesirable consequence that often can hinder more than just social aspects of life; therefore, it is more detrimental to ones desired existence than those issues involved in conformity.

Although conformity and obedience happen in very different instances across cultures, research has shown that those cultures that value primary control (United States) are much higher in rates of conformity (individuals trying to change life situations to increase rewards) than those who value secondary control (Japan) or obedience (individuals obeying because others guarantee them rewards for such behavior)(Shiraev & Levy, 2010).

Personally, I tend to be to against excessive use of either concept. As the book purported, countries with the highest rates of individualism had more optimistic views and a more profitable society (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). I believe that individualism is important not only to society but to ones mental health as well (With that, I’ll also say that the acceptance of individualism is just as important).

Shiraev, E., & Levy, D. (2010). Cross-cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4th ed). Boston: Pearson/Allyn Bacon.
Brenda Lytel