Publication | Open Access
The Psychological Explanation of Conformity
46
Citations
0
References
2012
Year
Behavioral Decision MakingSocial PsychologySocial InfluenceCollective BehaviorSocial SciencesPsychologyPsychological ExplanationConformitySocial IdentityBehavioral SciencesManipulation (Psychology)Herd BehaviorApplied Social PsychologyCoercionSocial CognitionNormative TheorySocial BehaviorMinority InfluenceSocial NormIrrational ConformityRational Conformity
Conformity occurs when the subject demonstrates the same behavior or attitude as the object. The subject is the individual who conforms. The object(s) may be individuals, groups, organizations, policies, rules and regulations, or the experience or natural instinct of the subject. Conformity is divided into 2 categories: irrational conformity (herd behavior) and rational conformity (abidance, compliance, and obedience). In this study we explain the meaning of abidance, compliance, obedience, and herd behavior. The conclusions have implications in the fields of commerce, education, service, politics, management, religion, and more.