Conformity and Deviance

Conformity is the polar opposite of social deviance, which is abiding by the rules that define who is acceptable in a social situation, group, or certain community. Robert Merton (1957) coined the term “conformity” to refer to the adoption of cultural objectives and the valid or accepted ways of accomplishing them. Only conformance to both reveals non-deviance in his framework of aims and means modifications.

What is Conformity? Give examples.

Conformity is the process by which people adjust their views, attitudes, behaviours, or perspectives to more closely resemble those held by organisations to which they join or aspire to join or by parties whose acceptance they want. Conformity has significant societal repercussions and is still being studied.

We all want to blend to some extent, which is why we have a psychological demand for conformity. Similarly, whenever we want to stand out, we like being able to select how and why we stand out. For instance, a woman who enjoys cutting-edge fashion and likes to dress in provocative new trends is likely to want to be seen, but she will most likely want to be noticed within the context of high fashion. She doesn’t want others to assume she couldn’t afford proper clothing because she was impoverished. The degree to which a person adheres to social standards or expectations is known as conformity. As you may recall, reference groups are used to evaluate and comprehend how to act, dress, and conduct.

Young people, predictably, are acutely aware of who complies and who does not. A high school guy who is forced to wear pressed button-down shirts by his mother may object, claiming that he would look silly and that everyone else is wearing T-shirts. Another high school student would like to wear such shirts to stand out. How important is it for you to be noticed? Do you actively choose to follow social standards to avoid being singled out? Are there any students in your class that pop to mind when thinking of individuals who refuse to conform?

When a person is with others in a group or alone, there are chances that conformity may arise. Even if they are alone, people follow social standards when eating or watching television.

Conformity is generally motivated by a need for safety within a group, usually one of comparable educational position, culture, age, or religion.

This is known as groupthink: a process of cognition marked by self-deception, coerced assent, and obedience to group ideals and ethics while ignoring realistic assessments of alternative courses of action. If you decline to comply, you may face social rejection. Youth and adolescence cultures are generally connected with conformity, yet it impacts people of all ages. 

Conformity is commonly or widely considered as either desirable or bad, despite the fact that peer pressure can be harmful. Driving in the proper lane of the road may be considered good conformity. Conforming in early infancy helps one to learn and so adopt the proper behaviours essential to connect and progress “correctly” in one’s society with the right environmental influence.

Conformity has an impact on the establishment and preservation of social standards, as well as on the smooth and predictable functioning of societies through the self-elimination of actions that are viewed as breaking unwritten rules. In this way, it might be seen as a positive factor that deters perceptually disruptive or risky behaviour. Because conformity is a collective phenomenon, elements including group size, unanimity, cohesiveness, status, past commitment, and public opinion have a role in determining an individual’s level of conformity.

Check out the complete UPSC Syllabus

What is deviance?

The act of deviating from group norms is known as deviance. It is a broad notion that encompasses not just criminal conduct but also a wide range of non-criminal behaviours. Deviance standards differ from one tribe to the next and across time.

However, a more objective examination is also required. Many behaviours can be conformed to or deviated by a person. He or she may, for example, adhere to a collective ideal of integrity and honesty. Is being a conformist a negative thing? Similarly, he or she may reject an organisation whose ideals are based on robbery and corruption. This is most likely a beneficial deviation. As a result, neither conformity nor deviation is desirable or harmful in and of themselves. The prevalent perceptions are incorrect.

Read about UPSC Preparation Books

What are structures?

Knowledge of sociological conformity and deviant behaviour necessitates an understanding of the social structures that impact these decisions. Groups, as previously mentioned, are one such entity. Each organisation has its own set of rules that it adheres to. Respecting seniors and touching their feet, for example, is a socially accepted practice in India. As a result, deviance and conformity are defined in terms of these standards. Many of these are formal guidelines, while others are more casual.

Also Read UPSC Notes

Conclusion

The objective of manipulating sociological deviance and conformity through societal institutions is to sustain the agency of social control. A society’s status quo or condition of equilibrium is maintained by these actions and their continual interactions. Deviance standards differ from one tribe to the next and across time. Neither conformity nor deviation is desirable or harmful in and of themselves. Understanding sociological conformity and deviance requires an understanding of the social structures that impact these decisions.