Abstract This paper discusses conformity as a consequence of social perception that influences behavior. The paper examines the concept of conformity from the context of its significance in social psychology. Issues concerning conformity such as the need for acceptance, the role of authority and when and why conformity occurs are addressed by the paper.
From the Paper "The purpose of this research is to examine the phenomenon of conformity as consequence of social perceptions that influence behavior. The plan of the research will be to set forth the context in which this issue achieves significance in social psychology and then to assess when people are most likely to conform to normative social influences. To that end, the research will discuss the need for acceptance, when and why conformity occurs, the importance of accountability in a social context ,the power of propaganda to effect conformity..."
Abstract This paper examines the role of priming on several social psychology behaviors including attitudes, judgements and conformity. The paper provides a description of priming and of each of the social behaviors discussed in the paper. The paper then focuses on describing past research that shows the ways in which priming affects these behaviors.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Priming Attitudes/Judgments
Priming Social Conformity
From the Paper "Schemas are cognitive representations of nonsocial and social objects that are stored in memory in associative networks. Activation of a schema increases its accessibility in the present and in the future. One way to activate a schema is through priming. Priming is any experience or mental activity that occurs prior to an event or situation and which increases the likelihood that relevant schema will be made more accessible. Such experiences or activities are referred to as primes and primes vary in the level of activation or accessibility they create. The minimum prime required to activate a schema is called the response threshold (Moskowitz, 2005). This can then affect a perception, judgment, and/or behavior by associative processes in memory. In this paper I will examine priming effects on judgments and social conformity by describing several relevant studies and their results."
Abstract An examination of how the themes of obedience and conformity are reflected in society, as well as in George Orwell's novel, "1984." The paper explains the nature of society's influence on the individual.
From the Paper "In George Orwell's frightening account of a society not too far removed from our own we find ourselves considering the nature of society's influence upon the individual and how that might be affected via propaganda, rhetoric advertisement or authority. The same notions have been considered by psychologists for quite some time."
Abstract This paper discusses the proposition that gender differences are learned, imposed by the society that spawns them and then perpetuates them from one generation to the next. The paper suggests that men conform to the gender requirements of their society, requirements conveyed to them as cultural biases that they then emulate.
From the Paper "Sex differences are biological, while gender differences are cultural. This means that gender differences are learned, imposed by the society that spawns them and then perpetuates them from one generation to the next. Men conform to the gender requirements of their society, requirements conveyed to them as cultural biases that they then emulate. Men thus come out more or less with the same basic way of thinking and the same modes of behavior because those are culturally dictated to say what count as masculine traits and what do not. Asch (originally 1955) noted the power of conformity and the fact that conformity is defined as "behavior that adheres to the behavior patterns of a particular group of which that individual is a member" (Hock, 1992, p. 290). Such persons are guided by unspoken rules of conduct found in "social norms" of conduct."
Abstract Using the ideas in "Core-Pone Opinions" by Mark Twain about conformity and society, this paper argues that group conformity has lead to many instances of group violence in today's society. Although the author feels that much of the violence found in today's society is caused by too much conformity, they do acknowledge, that there can also be positive results from being part of a group, if you are just aware of its dynamics.
From the paper:
"With his writing of Core-pone Opinions, Mark Twain shows the susceptibility we all have to conformity, and the great influence the opinions of others have on our way of thinking. As Twain said, "It is our nature to conform; it is a force which not many can successfully resist". Everyone likes to think they are unique and independent, but the reality for most of us is that we simply follow the trends in the world around us and incorporate others? opinions into becoming our own."
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of conformity and non-conformity through one of Jack Kerouac's greatest books "On The Road." It analyzes Kerouac's writings and relates it to the idea of conformity/non-conformity. It also discusses these ideas through the lifestyles of the beat generation which is embodied in the characters of the book.
From the Paper ?During the early post war era, the presumed conformity in middle-class white American literature where enormous, and it should come as no surprise that a reaction against that conformity-the beat generation-should arise and attain notoriety.? --Robert Holton(265-266) Jack Kerouac, a "self-proclaimed spokesman for the beat generation" (Miles 171), wrote a book that challenges the concept of conformity in a post war America. This book entitled "On The Road" takes its two main characters, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, in numerous journeys across America and to Mexico as well. These journeys, that takes them back and forth from the east coast to the west coast, illustrate the rebellious notion that Kerouac has towards rigidity and responsibility: two concepts that has embodied the idea of conformity. Through this, Kerouac is conveying the idea that living life to its fullest means the destruction of barriers to personal freedom. As Sal and Dean aptly demonstrates, life can indeed be lived to its fullest. They disregarded conformity to lead their own lives with their own rules. In many ways, they are the representations of the beat generation: they are Kerouac's tools to profess his belief in non-conformity."
Tags: beat, conformity, dean, drugs, drunkenness, jack, jose, kerouac, life, maldia, moriairty, non, road, sal
Abstract This research paper states that most students conformed to elevator group behavior and more females than males were found to conform. The paper explains that, for the purpose of this study, conforming behavior is operationally defined as the "wrong way facing" in an elevator. The author feels that this research provides evidence that people tend to change their own response to conform to the group's behavior.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Research Question
Definitions
Conforming Behavior
Elevator Group
Introduction
Literature Review
Definition and General Information
Influential Factors
Individual Mechanisms
Social Mechanisms
Methodology
Research Design
Participants and Subjects
Variables
Procedure
Data Analysis
Results
Discussion
Implications for Future Research
From the Paper "Conformity is defined as the changing of one's own response to be like that of the group's response. A further aspect of the definition includes the movement toward the group with the maintenance of congruence with the group. Thus, a person may originally conform to the group's behavior, but then a further decision to conform must be made in order for the behavior to be maintained. "
Abstract The paper focuses on the theme of individuality vs. conformity and how it applies in today's world. Throughout history, individuals have felt torn between conforming to established tradition and social mores and showing their individuality by rising up against conformity and tradition. The paper explains that, in "Rhinoceros," Ionesco illustrates what can happen to a society that is so eager to conform; it cannot see a balance between the individual and the whole. It discusses how, today, there is more acceptance of individuality in some areas, but in many, conformity is still the rule of the day, and individuality is seen as frightening and even unnatural.
From the Paper "Conformity is based on the thought that one must fulfill one's duty before anything else ? at all costs, while individuality is based on the good of the one ultimately affecting the good of the many. Individuality is also based on the ability to think for oneself, rather than following the conventions of the masses in an effort to conform to societal mores and pressures. Throughout history, those who have continually created the best and most lasting results have been those who are not afraid to stand up for what they believe in, rather than conforming to tradition and societal pressures."
Abstract The Confucian society of ancient China was filled with specific norms and values. Conforming or not conforming to these specific values could cause negative or positive impacts in many individuals' lives. This paper discusses how the characters Pao-yu, Precious Virtue, Black Jade, Phoenix and Chia Lien from "Dream of the Red Chamber" by Hsueh Tsao Chin; Shen Fu and his wife Yun from "The Six Records of a Floating Life" by Shen Fu and Women Wang from "The Death of Women Wang" by Jonathan Spence do or do not conform to Confucian society and the affect that this conformity has on their lives.
From the Paper "Black Jade (Lin Ku-niang) another character from Dream of the Red Chamber is the woman Pao-yu is deeply in love with, like her lover she also has a rebellious nature. Black Jade is a very emotional, sensitive and dramatic girl who fails to conform to society because she was not an individual who showed filial piety, which was significant in a Confucian society. Black Jade loved Pao-yu and believed strongly that they were soul mates and destined to be married. The superiors in the Chia household especially the Matriarch, found Black Jade to have an arrogant and willful nature, they were not impressed by her unbridled behavior and found her speech to be most offending especially since it resulted as filial impiety. "
Abstract The author states that that he is a student and that governs virtually everything important he does. The author defines being a student as conforming behavior. The author thinks that spotting conformity may be a little like pealing an onion, each layer hides another layer, so that may be hard to discover real personal choice.
From the Paper "For the most part I have been blind to this conformity. Perhaps that is the nature of conformity, that it requires that people do not make active choices. As I look at pictures of family members, I can see that all the young women in the 1970's had long straight hair, but all the young women in the early 1960's had bubble hairdos. I look at the young women around me today, and I don?t see such a pattern. Some have long hair; some have short. Some have medium length hair, but it's blue."
Abstract The paper examines the fates of a list of characters from three novels of the 17th and 18th centuries, and the poetry of Yuan Mei. The period of study is the Qing dynasty which was the authority in China before its decline in the 19th century. The thesis revolves around Asian societies' rigidity of old, as reinforced by religion, culture and law, to suggest that non-conformity carries immense risks; conformity implies virtue and rewards.
From the Paper "As in other Asian civilizations, men and women have had to conform to prevailing cultural mores, as their security, in a variety of injustice through centuries that is so often lamented by others. The theme of the non-conforming person, however, has continued to inspire authors, through time. This paper refers to a great variety of individuals whose experiences may be said to be rather allegorical, in terms of the consequences of breaking from tradition, and in a society of little security, so often becoming mere leaves on the wind."
Abstract This paper analyzes the Asch studies of the nineteen-fifties, which evaluated the influence of group pressure. The author discusses the results of the Asch studies, assesses the desire of people for conformity, and concludes that the Asch studies were valuable even though they were limited in scope.
Abstract This paper discusses that, when influence is employed correctly, it efficiently moves people in positive directions; unfortunately, it also can work against us, and make us conform in situations where we are under social, peer or parental pressure.The author expresses the emotions he felt when he became drunk at a party to which he knew he should not have gone: Angry, awkward, weak, ashamed, and disappointment in himself. The paper concludes that, in similar circumstances, the author now tries to become the influencing factor rather than the victim of persuasion.
From the Paper "Sometimes, it's as simple as people just not taking "no" for an answer. I remember being part of what was considered the "cool" group when I was in high school. It was the group that everyone wanted to be part of, and I was. One summer when I was 17, one of the kids threw a big party while her parents were out of town. I, of course, immediately accepted the invitation not realizing that the group had planned a drinking party and had somehow gotten hold of a keg of beer."
Abstract This paper explains the equation that caused the explosion of the 1960s was a simple one. ?Consumerism + cold war + denial = conformity?. The paper gives details about two leaders of the 1960s movement for change, Abbie Hoffman and Janis Joplin, each of whom contributed to the social protest mindset of the 1960s in a different way and became symbols of importance to the counterculture. The paper states that, if it were not for the 1960s, blacks might still be forced to the back of the bus, women would still be expected to stay home and not have career ambitions, and Viet Nam might still be going on.
Table of Contents
Introduction
What Came before the Storm
Social Protests
Compliments and Contrary Effects
Abbie Hoffman and Janis Joplin
Conclusion
From the Paper "The social protests began at various stages. The south had them erupting because of the segregation that was still an accepted practice in that area. Other parts of the nation had them because of the Viet Nam conflict and all that it represented by way of government lies and the loss of innocent lives. Innocence was destroyed during this era, as the younger generation pulled back the curtain of the Wizard and saw that it was only a man dressed as the American government. Once the untruths became evident, the grass root movement to change the nation took hold and social protest became a way of life for the American people."
Abstract It is the belief of many sociologists that conformity plays a large role in any society. There are a set of rules, beliefs, or morals that every member of society has to adhere to or face the consequences, and rebellion, when defeated, is put down very harshly most of the time. In particular, it examines how Herman Melville and Shirley Jackson confront these themes in their short stories, "Bartleby the Scrivener" and "The Lottery," respectively.
From the Paper "In the story, the warm summer day, the children's play, the casual chatter, and the air of suppressed anticipation of the village on the day of the lottery attune the reader's expectations towards a positive outcome for the lottery. When the reader learns of the unjust and senseless murder for the first time, this knowledge comes as an extreme shock. The audience, having an understanding of a lottery, assumes its implications are positive. Jackson decides to title her story "the Lottery;" thus, deliberately plays off her reader's assumptions, hiding her subtle yet powerful themes and symbols from their immediate notice."
