Conformity is the act of converging to the standards that are established by society; the group norm. This is set by what at the time is deemed as “socially acceptable.” It can refer to compliance with an established set of rules, standards (behaviors), or laws. And the fact that we feel societal pressure exists, just goes to show how many conformists there are around us.
This pressure to conform to the widely-held norm can prompt people to change their actions (speech or behavior), or even their inner thoughts and reasoning.
It doesn't take any special skill, effort, or courage, to conform to what everyone else around you dictates that you should do. Some might find it a lot easier just to let others do their thinking for them. But this then doesn't seem like it would breed any sort of out-of-the-box thinking, creativity, or intellectual integrity.
Imagine if no one ever voiced a divergent thought, ever tried to strive for something different which might be better than what we know now, but first takes the courage to explore.
Many people who have made our lives better throughout human history, have been individuals who weren't afraid to uphold their own intellectual reasoning despite pressures from the external world to conform in either word or deed.
Can we really blame those who kneel to the external pressures to conform?
After all, it's “normal” to want to seek acceptance from others, to deal with this insecurity, because many associate this with their personal value. If you are “different” and outcast from the group, it's a lot harder for someone to feel good about themselves or to feel like they can provide value to others; that they are valuable.
I'd say then that it takes a lot of courage to want to stick with your gut, when a number of external pressures are trying to convince you to do otherwise.
At the time maybe you might get labeled as a “radical” but maybe in a few years or decades, people might look back and instead appreciate the sacrifice that was made in daring to go against the herd.
There have been a number of studies conducted throughout the years which have sought to investigate the affinity of humans to want to conform to the group. And a number of them have been quite disturbing in revealing how far some people are willing to take it, in sacrificing their own sense of reason so as to not position themselves as separate from whatever is perceived to be the “norm” at the time.
When we cave to adopting the beliefs and standards of others, then we are sacrificing our own personal integrity.
At times, conforming can act as a survival strategy however.
So revolting for the sake of revolting isn't always going to be a wise idea. Take for example, those who are sentenced to time behind bars, it can greatly increase their chances of survival if they quickly adapt to their surroundings and learn how to conform to the group setting. Or when you start a new job you might want to conform to the rules there so as not to get fired. There are times then when it can provide us benefit and doesn't seem like we are intellectually sacrificing much then, that instead we are gaining much more. Therefore, it's better to go against the pressure when we have a good reason to.
We deal with conformity in many areas.
Conformity is arguably institutionally indoctrinated throughout our society and it's difficult to go against that because it is more difficult to stand on your own than it is to fall in line with the group.
But we should be thankful for those who have dared to stand on their own, who have displayed the courage to explore their own ideas and creativity; even if the world didn't understand it at the time. Even if they still don't. They are the ones who push us to try and be better and achieve more, to think about things in a new way, to go about trying things differently than we do now.
Independence, individuality, and personal integrity are, I believe, important things to foster. And I don't think it provides any benefit to society in trying to stunt these areas in any way. Quite the opposite, I think that would be quite a detriment to society.
Daring to question what we are told or the way that we see things operating around us now, can foster imagination and bring about something better for ourselves that we didn't even know was possible. It can prompt and foster open and healthy discussions, and challenge us so as to promote intellectual growth.
What is easy isn't always what is best. And we don't have to let fear force us to conform to the patterns of this world, adopting the ideals that others say should be established for us. And sometimes when we dare to follow our own individuality, we can inspire others too to follow theirs.
Pics:
Pixabay
Chris Madden
funnypicturesutopia
Mr Fish
Sources:
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/01/the-psychology-of-conformity/251371/
http://bit.ly/1f6oO21
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/01/the-psychology-of-conformity/251371/
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