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Conformity And Obedience Essay

1369 Words6 Pages

Two basic ideas in social psychology—conformity and obedience—explain how people alter their behavior to comply with societal standards and authoritative persons' directives. This essay tries to critically examine the ideas of obedience and conformity, their uses in modern society, and their effects on social conduct. The key ideas of these ideas, their impacts on interpersonal dynamics and group behavior, and their relevance to present social problems will all be covered in this essay. Two key ideas in social psychology that affect a person's conduct in a group are conformity and obedience. Obeying a leader's instructions is known as obedience, whereas conformity is the phenomenon of changing one's conduct or attitudes to match those of the …show more content…

For example, conformity can help explain the phenomenon of peer pressure, in which individuals modify their behavior to conform to their peers' expectations, even if it conflicts with their personal beliefs or values. Peer pressure can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, such as increased social cohesion, or harmful behaviors, such as drug use or bullying (Gommans, R., Stevens, G. W. J. M., ter Bogt, T.,F.M., & Cillessen, A. H. N. (2016)).
Similarly, obedience can help explain the phenomenon of police brutality, in which law enforcement officers use excessive force or violate human rights in the name of following orders or maintaining social order. Blind obedience can lead to a lack of accountability and oversight, allowing individuals in positions of authority to act without regard for ethical or moral considerations (Haslam, S. A., Reicher, S. D., & Van Bavel, J. J. (2019).
Implications for Social …show more content…

This pressure can lead to self-censorship and the suppression of dissenting opinions, stifling creativity and innovation (Elms, A. C. (2009)). These findings have implications for understanding group dynamics, organizational behavior, and the ways in which individuals can be influenced by authority figures and social norms.
Overall, the implications for social behavior in social psychology highlight the importance of understanding how social factors shape behavior and attitudes. This understanding can inform interventions and policies that promote positive social outcomes and improve the well-being of individuals and society as a whole.
Similarly, obedience can lead to a lack of critical thinking and a disregard for ethical or moral considerations. Blind obedience can lead to individuals in positions of authority abusing their power and committing acts of injustice, such as genocide or war crimes (Haslam, S. A., Reicher, S. D., & Van Bavel, J. J.

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