Conformity is the
act of 'blending in with the crowd' or emulating the actions of another individual, group, or belief
system. Conformity can be linked to a fear of rejection or the presence of apathy in a person.
For instance, in a school-system, different social sects will conform to a certain style of clothing or behavior in order to fit in with a certain group. Conformity is also a part of conversation. In our daily lives, we will consistently conform to the opinions and ideas of other
people. Conforming to the idea of another doesn't necessarily
mean agreeing with
something they say that you don't believe in, but it can be, and this is where the negative side of conformity comes from.
In conversational conformity, one can sit back and watch while someone they like/befriended is being attacked or even join in. This example of negative conformity is often found in schools and in the workplace. The desire for acceptance drives
people to offer negative information about another person in order to fuel their conversational counterpart's drive for
drama.
Conformity
"Isn't that
Jenny just a skank?" -Breann
"I know! I've heard so much crap about her. Let me tell you." -Leah
"I'm going to the game tomorrow, but my folks are going to Church. You going to the game?" -
Joseph
"Of course, if you're going. I'd just have to skip Church." -Ben
Nonconformity
"Isn't that Jenny just a skank?" -Breann
"I like Jenny, and Jenny is my friend." -Leah
"I'm going to the game tomorrow, but my folks are going to Church. You going to the game?" -
Joseph
"Nah,
man. My parents are making me go to Church, but even if they weren't, I'd still go anyway. I like Church." -Ben
