Is James Bond an individual or a conformist? He is a master of deception and a 00 agent. And he is a recognizable character but conforms when he needs to. Individuality and conformity are two big issues to ponder in modern society.
Individuality focuses on non-conformity and uniqueness. Conformity relies on cultural beliefs to mandate uniformity. Both are polar opposites. Society debates which one is better. Like a mixed economy, they’re used in different scenarios to make the world function.
You try to figure out where you stand on this issue. It is difficult. But do you know when you conform without realizing it? I will give you the basic differences and scenarios between the 2 opposing forces.
Overview of Individuality
Individuality separates you from the rest of society. Each person has distinguishable traits.
We celebrate those differences. The conformists say we worship the individual. But I’d say they’re jealous.
America is a culture where some worries seem trivial compared to other countries. Our individualism warrants certain protections you and I take for granted.
For instance, the thought police won’t arrest you for expressing your opinions. Communicating your ideas is a natural part of our American culture.
What else are you able to do?
Personal growth is one of the biggest benefits of individuality. You’re able to roam free around America. Travel stimulates your brain and makes you more creative.
This type of growth fosters non-conformity. At times, American society is hostile to the changes. But we will examine specific examples later in this post. I’m making you aware of the concept.
Individuality is a key ingredient to cultural stability. It provides the personal satisfaction necessary for effective communication.
I wrote an entire post about the importance of individuality in society. I encourage you to LEARN MORE about yourself that you didn’t know before.
Overview of Conformity
A bird’s-eye view of conformity.
Basic Definition
Conformity is a system of values and beliefs that’s accepted by society or mandated by a governing body.
In other words, you converge- or conform- to what the group wants. If someone says to dig a hole for no reason, you do without hesitation.
Some common examples of conformity:
- uniforms
- same haircuts
- suppression of opinions
If you find yourself in these circumstances, it is a form of conformity you didn’t know occurred.
Difference Between Opinions and Attitudes
How someone interprets data is important to understanding conformity. And that is best represented in opinions and attitudes.
Naturally, your brain wants to conserve energy for later use. Don’t you become mentally fatigued after:
- writing long papers
- debating your neighbors across the fence
- arguing with family members
At times, no amount of debate will change your preconceived long held beliefs. Wasting mental capacity is useless.
Now, let’s examine the details of why you won’t change.
Psychologists define attitudes as the following:
Attitudes are deep-rooted. They change only with careful consideration over large expanses of time.
definition of attitudes
Imagine someone trying to convince you of their view. You have your arms crossed not actively listening. Instead, you’re daydreaming about what your plans are for the rest of the day. You want this talking weirdo to leave.
Your influences engrained those attitudes. They will take a long-time to change. They’ll only adjust due to:
- a tragic situation
- repeated bad memories
- constant whispers in your ear
Comparatively speaking, we now move to opinions.
Opinions change fast. They’re altered by people around them in a short block of time.
definition of opinions
What influences your opinions? Culture, parents, and friends…
Your opinions are like interstate entrance ramps. You merge and change them varied on the traffic around you. Traffic in this case is an outside influence.
Every time you state your opinion, you perform a risk assessment on how others will perceive you.
You switch and conform your opinions so others you admire see you positively. Fear of being different leads to conformity.
2 Important Types of Conformity
1. Normative Conformity
The idea a person conforms to standard expectations of you.
We fear people won’t like us so we adapt to different pressures to “fit in”.
Working in teams is a great example. If someone feels group dynamics are in jeopardy, they won’t speak up and conform to group opinion.
2. Informative Conformity
This type is when you conform to others’ perceptions. You feel their information is accurate and apply it in day-to-day life.
For example, many types of people you consider experts are:
- scientists
- doctors
- lawyers
- reporters
Upon receiving the information, you’ll analyze it and determine if it’s true or false. What’s your gut telling you?
Most people trust the examples above except reporters. You won’t conform to their opinions. Because you lack trust in them.
Cultural Norms and the Invisible Force?
Cultural norms are the accepted behavior within a society. The norms are a group consensus drawn from past generations.
Society decides the illusions of right or wrong. And if you don’t conform to a nation’s standards, you’ll experience hate mail or mobs at your door.
It affects regulations at your grocery store to your interactions with law enforcement. This invisible force is everywhere and isn’t escapable. You can’t hide from it in a corner. It will find you.
Yes, some norms are arbitrary and limit individuality. They rely on conformity and group pressure to destroy confidence to make you obey.
Conformity In Society and Limits of Individuality
In this section, we will discuss different aspects of conformity you don’t think of.
Military Service
Having a strong military is crucial to a robust functioning republic. We must protect ourselves from outsiders who want to take advantage of the weak.
The military isn’t a social experiment allowing outlandish or weirdo behaviors. A battlefield isn’t forgiving.
From our founding, Americans accepted you will conform to military standards. There is a difference between civilian and military life.
You lost your individuality when you wear your uniform and shave your head.
In the military, you’re expected to conform. There are no suggestions- only orders.
Children to Parents
Can children survive without parents?
This question determines whether they have to conform to their parent’s wishes. No, they can’t survive.
As a society, we determined children must reach the “age of majority”- or adulthood- to accept full responsibility for themselves. Teenagers have wild individuality and inhibitions.
Enlightenment philosophers such as John Locke preached the importance of parental influence.
Living in a society where children don’t conform is like living in Lord of the Flies. In this book, young boys run a wild island and turn it into a barbaric torture chamber.
Education
The information you consume determines your political and economic views. You conform to those sets of principles you’re taught at a young age.
The clash in American society today is the difference between:
- public schools
- private schools
Parents-if able- send their children to schools representing their core values.
Many see public education as the indoctrination of unwanted morals. Parents don’t want their children to conform to those standards.
A cultural system dedicated to liberty results in a freer society. Education systems teaching individualism promote self-reliance.
Collectivists want conformity to group standards.
Ultimately, education is the factor distinguishing the future trend in cultural norms.
What will be the next crazy social issue of the day?
Groupthink in Mobs
People are:
- yelling
- chanting
- hyper
These are the thrills and horrors of being in a mob where your individuality is non-existent.
What happens if the chants turn to violence? What will you do? Quick! You only have 5 seconds to answer this question. Think fast!
More than likely, you’ll do what everyone else is doing. You’ll pick up a rock and chunk it. Whew…you feel better.
Without realizing it, you let conformity grab a hold of your inner self. Throwing the rock is a sign of you losing your individuality. Because you didn’t have control of your body, mind, and spirit.
You must be careful in groups where groupthink is raging. You’re apt to lose focus and self-discipline.
Fashion Marketing
Starting with the 18th-century powdered wigs until now, fashion exploded with change.
What are you wearing today? Are you wearing jeans and a T-shirt?
1920s fashion mandated you wear your best threads on the streets. Society considers wedding attire your most formal.
Each decade has a distinct fashion trend you follow:
- 1960s- long-haired hippie trends
- 1970s- bell-bottomed jeans
- 1980s- shoulder pads and frizzy hair
- 1990s- goth and grudge
- 2000s- polo shirts and khakis
- 2010s- showing mid-riff and more expressive individualism
- 2020s- To be determined…
Believe it or not, you conform to those fashion trends. It is all that’s available in the stores. Culture decides those trends with whatever the masses want.
You’re able to distinguish your individuality to an extent with accessories. But for the most part, this is another culturally induced conformity.
Modern Literature
Take a field trip to your local bookstore. What types of books do you see on the shelf?
What are the titles? Do they invoke thoughtful reactions?
Societies amid mass conformity see a decline in the availability of free-thinking literature.
For example, 1930s and 1940s Nazi Germany hosted book burnings. They wanted people to conform and instituted mass anti-freedom propaganda.
A novel popular is 1984 by George Orwell. It represents a loss of individuality amidst a regime like the Nazis.
1984 is a perfect dystopian novel. LEARN MORE on how I explain Winston’s lost individuality to the regime.
Social Roles in Society
You have your duties in your family and life. You submitted to the fact this is your destiny, or have you?
The roles of everyone in society:
- mother- nurturer and takes care of the children
- father – protector and provider
- children- submit to their parent’s wishes until they reach adulthood
Let me throw your world upside down.
Critics call this “the patriarchy” instituted by “old people” who have no right to talk. But the roles presented above are examples of cultural norms decided over generations.
The haters want to destroy institutions such as the family.
Political circles continue to debate this issue to solve the dilemma.
Can There Be Balance? Where do You Draw the Line?
Should you conform and limit your individuality?
I don’t want you to neglect your promises with what I’m saying. But I’ll say this.
At times, conformity is necessary because we live in a civil society. I must conform and live by the rules of the road. The rule of law is important to maintain a world you want to live in.
In other instances, conformity is evil. If you’re weak-minded your individualism will disappear due to oppression. Tyrants take your:
- pride
- dignity
- sovereignty
I’ve never studied an instance in history where this leads to good outcomes. You must decide what your personal boundaries are. Speak out before you become uncomfortable and the situation deteriorates.
Also, you might consider your 9 am to 5 pm job social conformity. But you have duties and responsibilities to provide for those who depend on you.
Ask yourself this question in response. Is this conformity or necessity?
I will be the first to declare that individuality is important. I detest unregulated conformity.
Bring back the spirit of debate to change social norms you think are injustices. I’ll agree your opinions and attitudes are important to improving all our lives. I want a culture of liberty free for all to prosper.
Conclusion
Individuality and conformity are words sparking a multitude of emotions. I like my individuality but conformity is part of keeping a cohesive culture.
Individuality is like the crazy uncle at family reunions. You never know what tricks or if they’ll say, “Pull my finger” and make inappropriate jokes.
Conformity is like the agreeable aunt. She makes all the dishes at the reunion out of sheer compliance with her norms. And she never questions authority. The apple pie is fresh and warm as always.
Cultural norms influence both the uncle and the aunt. It is an invisible force to blame all the wrongs of society on.
Conformity limits individuality. I gave you different examples from military service to social roles in society.
Overall, these 2 ideas function as opposing forces. I will take individuality over conformity.
In my experience, it is easier to make progress with individualists. They’ll discuss the issues although it might take extended periods. Conformists avoid conflict and dodge giving opinions or attitudes.
Yes, extreme individualists are frustrating too. But I can handle them because liberty is an idea worth discussing.
What do you think is worth giving up for conformity? Nothing or some aspects of society?
J. Liberty
Conformity occurs in collectivism. LEARN MORE how following the group leads to unrelenting obedience in collectivism vs individualism. I describe economics, politics, and family dynamics.
References:
Coultas, J. C., & Van Leeuwen, E. J. (2015). Conformity: Definitions, types, and evolutionary grounding. , 189-202.
Tsay, C. H. H., Lin, T. C., Yoon, J., & Huang, C. C. (2014). Knowledge Withholding Intentions in Teams: The Roles of Normative Conformity, Affective bonding, Rational Choice and Social Cognition. Decision Support Systems, 67, 53-65.
Votaw, K. (2023). Informational Conformity- Conforming To Be Accurate.
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