Social Conformity is a widely known human phenomena which elucidates us as social beings. It is the variability of the person to “conform” which is give-in to the situation happening around them so they do not feel embarrassed or feel different and confronted with others in the same situation . For example, when in a social group, you are asked about the famous movie “Charlie and the chocolate factory” and everyone around you has watched it. The tendency to “conform” to watching it even though you haven’t is much more than admitting to them that you didn’t. This phenomenon is known as Social Conformity. It is the inclination for the person to “fit in” to the social norms where you may feel different and also not the same as everyone around you.
We have all been in situations which may have led us to socially conform and the frequency of this phenomenon differs from person to person. As a whole, Social Conformity is a human tendency noticed in abundance in teenagers. Teenagers are age groups ranging from 13-19 who are hormonal and have their own wants and needs developed during this phase leading them to also conform to social pressure.
There are two types of Conformity, which are:
Normative social conformity: Conforming to social norms and expectations to gain acceptance, approval, or avoid rejection or punishment. Normative social influence is driven by the desire to fit in with others and maintain social harmony, rather than a genuine belief in the correctness of the behavior. Imagine a high school student attending a party where alcohol is being served. Even though they don’t personally believe in underage drinking, they might feel pressured to have a drink because everyone else is doing it, and they want to fit in and avoid being seen as “uncool” or socially awkward.
Informational social conformity: Conforming to the beliefs or behaviors of others because of a desire to be correct or accurate in uncertain or ambiguous situations. Individuals may look to others for guidance or information when they are unsure about how to behave or interpret a situation. Suppose someone is attending a cooking class for the first time and is unsure about how to properly chop vegetables. They observe the instructor and other participants, noting their techniques and following their lead to ensure they are doing it correctly. In this scenario, the individual relies on the expertise of others to learn the skill effectively.
Cognitive Perspective
Cognitive refers to the brain processes (attention, perception, decision-making) in humans and a cognitive perspective is necessary to understand the underlying brain processes that involve when a person is demonstrating the phenomena of social conformity. It gives an insight into how and what really leads a person to conform which is found to be necessary to understand a teenager’s perspective from the viewpoint of the parents. Few of the theories of cognitive perspectives include:
- Reinforcement learning: Reinforcement learning is a cognitive theory that suggests individuals learn and adapt their behaviors based on the consequences of their actions. In the context of social conformity, reinforcement learning posits that people conform to social norms or behaviors based on the positive or negative consequences they experience as a result. For example, if a teenager receives praise or acceptance from their peers for conforming to a particular fashion trend, they may be more likely to continue adhering to that trend in the future. This positive reinforcement strengthens the association between conforming behavior and social approval, making it more likely for the teenager to conform again in similar situations.
- Conformity bias: Conformity bias refers to the tendency of individuals to adjust their beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors to align with those of a majority group, even if doing so contradicts their own perceptions or judgments. This bias arises from the desire to avoid social rejection, gain acceptance, or maintain harmony within the group. For example, if a group of teenagers is discussing their opinions on a controversial topic, such as politics or social issues, individuals may feel pressure to conform to the prevailing viewpoint expressed by the majority, even if they privately disagree. This conformity bias can lead individuals to suppress their own perspectives or doubts in order to avoid standing out or being perceived as deviant within the group
- Intrinsic utility: A theory of conformity was proposed by B. Douglass Beenheim called the intrinsic utility model related to status of a person. In this model, people care a lot about how others see their natural inclinations, even though these inclinations can’t be directly seen. So, people’s actions become signals of what they’re really like, affecting how they’re viewed by others. When fitting in socially is more important than personal happiness, many people follow the same rules of behavior, even if they prefer different things. They do this because they know that even small deviations from these rules can hurt how others see them.
The ways in which teenagers conform to social pressure is given as follows:
Peer Pressure
Peer pressure is perhaps the most widely recognized form of social conformity among teenagers. Adolescents often find themselves influenced by their peers to adopt certain behaviors, attitudes, and even fashion choices to fit in with their social group. This pressure can manifest in various ways, such as conformity to norms within cliques, participation in risky behaviors to gain acceptance, or even altering one’s appearance to align with perceived ideals. Research suggests that the need for peer acceptance and fear of rejection can significantly impact teenage decision-making, leading to conformity even when individuals may have reservations.
Family Pressure
While peer pressure garners significant attention, family pressure also plays a crucial role in shaping teenage behavior and beliefs. Adolescents often face expectations from their families regarding academic achievement, career choices, and adherence to cultural or familial traditions. Considering a country like India, it seems that the prevalence of familial pressure is higher. These expectations can exert a considerable influence on teenagers, leading them to conform to familial norms and values. Family pressure can range from subtle suggestions to explicit directives, and the desire for parental approval can drive adolescents to conform, sometimes even at the expense of their own desires or beliefs.
Social Media
In today’s digital age, social media platforms wield substantial influence over teenage behavior and self-perception. Adolescents are exposed to curated representations of lifestyles, body images, and social activities, often leading to comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. The pressure to conform to online trends, emulate influencers, and gain validation through likes and comments can be overwhelming for teenagers. Moreover, the anonymity and distance provided by social media can facilitate the spread of unrealistic standards and cyberbullying, further exacerbating the pressure to conform. Research indicates that excessive social media use is associated with heightened levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among adolescents, highlighting the impact of digital pressures on teenage conformity.
Tips for parents to handle the teenager’s susceptibleness to social pressure
Educate about peer pressure: The susceptibility and compliance to peers is considerably higher in teenagers, therefore education regarding the potential influence they might experience is necessary for a better development of the teenagers. Teaching teenagers about peer pressure involves helping them recognize the difference between positive and negative influences from their peers. By equipping them with critical thinking skills and assertiveness techniques, parents can empower teenagers to make informed choices and resist negative peer pressure while fostering positive social interactions.
Providing open communication: Fostering an openness in communicating with your teenage children helps in giving them a window of opportunity to share their intricacies and complexities. This open dialogue cultivates trust and strengthens the parent-child relationship, allowing teenagers to feel supported and understood. By actively listening and empathizing with their experiences, parents can better guide their teenagers through the challenges of social pressure and promote healthy decision-making.
Monitoring social media usage: Monitoring the usage of social media is extremely intricate in the social conformity they might experience. Social media gives them an unrealistic expectation of how they are supposed to look like, how they are supposed to live and many more. This forms a key role for the parents to monitor their actions and activities. Teenages might not respond well to the monitoring because of the independence they crave for but if explained in a healthy way, they understand the perspectives and the negativity the parents are trying to explain to them about social media.
Portray healthy coping mechanisms: It is very likely that a teen experiences social conformity, but as a parent to elucidate healthy coping mechanisms like practicing mindfulness, journaling, creative outlets, positive self-talk and many more can help these teenagers cope healthily and make their lives better.
Seeking professional help- If the parents notice significant changes in your teenager’s behavior, mood, or social interactions, consider seeking guidance from a mental health professional or counselor. Professional support can provide additional strategies for addressing social pressures and promoting your teenager’s well-being.
Overall, Social conformity in teenagers is a multifaceted phenomenon shaped by peer, family, and digital influences. While peer pressure is often highlighted, family expectations and social media also exert significant sway over adolescent behavior and beliefs. Understanding the interplay between these various sources of influence is crucial for supporting teenagers in navigating social pressures and fostering healthy autonomy and self-expression. By fostering open communication, promoting critical thinking skills, and encouraging authentic self-discovery, parents, educators, and society can empower teenagers to resist harmful conformity and cultivate resilience in the face of social pressures.
