Conformity and Deviance

N D
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CONFORMITY
- type of social influence involving a change in
belief or behavior in order to fit in with a
group.
This change is in response to real (involving the

physical presence of others) or imagined
(involving the pressure of social norms /
expectations) group pressure.
Conformity can also be simply defined as

“yielding to group pressures” (Crutchfield,
1955). Group pressure may take different
forms, for example bullying, persuasion,
teasing, criticism, etc. Conformity is also
The term conformity is often
used to indicate an agreement
to the majority position,
brought about either by a
desire to ‘fit in’ or be liked
(normative) or because of a
desire to be correct
(informational), or simply to
conform to a social role
(identification).
CONFORMITY AND DEVIANCE
The identification of oneself in

society is always relative to
his/her existing environment.
Social role must be performed
in connection with the
expected behavior . Erving
Goffman, in his book “The
Presentation of Self in
Everyday Life”, tried to show
how certain social processes
modify the presentation of
TYPES OF CONFORMITY
1. Compliance (or group

acceptance)
- This occurs when an individual
accepts influence because he
hopes to achieve a favorable
reaction from another person or
group. He adopts the induced
behavior because he expects to
gain specific rewards or approval
and avoids specific punishment
or disapproval by conformity
2. Internalization (genuine
acceptance of group norms)
- This occurs when an individual
accepts influence because the
content of the induced behavior
– the ideas and actions of which
it is composed- is intrinsically
rewarding. He adopts the
induced behavior because it is
congruent or consistent with his
value system.
Internalization always involves
public and private conformity.
A person publicly changes his
behavior to fit in with the
group, while also agreeing
with others privately. This is
the deepest level of
conformity where the beliefs
of the group become part of
the individual’s own belief
system.
3. Identification (or group
membership)
This occurs when an
individual accepts influence
because he wants to establish
or maintain satisfying self-
defining relationship to
another person or group.
Individuals conform to the
expectations of a social role.
It is similar to compliance as
there does not have to be a
4. Ingratiational
This is when a person
conforms to impress or gain
favor/acceptance from other
people. It is similar to normative
influence, but is motivated by the
need for social rewards rather
than the threat of rejection, i.e.
group pressure does not enter
the decision to conform.
DEVIANCE
Why Deviate?
As we said before, the first and

foremost reason people conform is
that group members must do so to
make decisions. The foremost
reason for deviance in groups
relates to this idea. People deviate
so that the group can make good
decisions. It is unlikely that a
group's first proposal is the best
that it can possibly make. However,
the group cannot make better
SOCIAL DEVIANCE
Refers to any behavior that differs
or diverges from established
social norms
The concept of deviance is complex

because norms vary considerably
across groups, times and places.
FUNCTIONS OF DEVIANCE
Deviance serves as an outlet
for diverse forms of
expressions
Deviance serves to define the
limits of acceptable behavior
Deviance may also promote

in-group solidarity
Deviance can serve as a

barometer of social strain
SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF DEVIANCE
1. Functionalist Theory
According to Emile Durkheim, deviance
can serve a number of functions for
society. He asserted that there is nothing
abnormal in deviance. He gave four major
functions of deviance.
-affirms cultural values and norms
- responding to deviance clarifies
moral boundary
- responding to deviance promotes
social unity
- encourages social change
2. Strain Theory
Robert Merton argued that
in an unequal society the
tension or strain between
socially approved goals
and an individual’s ability
to meet those goals
through socially approved
means will lead to
deviance as individuals
reject either the goals, the
MERTON’S DEVIANCE TYPOLOGY
Merton gave the following forms
of deviance that emerge from
strain:
a.CONFORMITY - it involves
accepting both the cultural goal
of success and the use of
legitimate means for achieving
that goal
b.INNOVATION – This response
involves accepting the goal of
success but rejecting the use of
c. RITUALISM – This occurs when
people deemphasize or reject
the importance of success once
they realize they will never
achieve it and instead
concentrate on following or
reinforcing these rules than ever
was intended.
d. RETREATISM – This means
withdrawal from society, caring
neither about success nor about
working.
e. REBELLION – This occurs when
people reject and attempt to
change both the goals and the
means approved by society.
3. CONTROL THEORY
Travis Hirschi assumed
that the family, school
and other social
institutions can greatly
contribute to social
order by controlling
deviant tendencies in
very individual
SOCIAL CONTROL OF DEVIANCE
In order to regulate nonconformity
with the social norms, society
created measures in order to limit
deviance.
SOCIAL CONTROL refers to the

efforts of a group of society to
regulate the behavior of its
members in conformity with
established norms. Social control
includes the use of behavioral
restraints to encourage people to
follow set social expectations.
• These are unofficial,
often
TYPES OF SANCTIONS casual pressures
to conform
• Positive informal
sanctions involve
reward for conformity
or compliance.
Examples are: smiles,
kiss, an affirmation or
Informal
words of approval
Sanctions • Negative sanctions or
informal sanctions
involve penalties for
not conforming. These
may take the form or
ridicule, ostracism,
rejection, or even
• These
TYPES OF SANCTIONS are official,
institutionalized
incentives to conform
and penalties for
deviance
• These are needed in
large, complex
Formal societies.
Sanctions • The criminal justice is
the most important
and visible institution
of social control
• These may take the
form of arrest, pre-
trial, sentencing or

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N D

This change is in response to real (involving the

Conformity can also be simply defined as

The identification of oneself in

1. Compliance (or group

As we said before, the first and

The concept of deviance is complex

Deviance may also promote

Deviance can serve as a

SOCIAL CONTROL refers to the

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