Question

What does the following example describe?

An individual usually dresses up for school, wearing dress slacks and a button up shirt. Sometimes other students make comments that s/he seems "too dressed up". Recently after spending time with a group of students who dress much more casually, wearing ripped jeans and tee-shirts with holes, the individual adjusts his/her own style of clothing to become more casual.

Select one:

a. Social Facilitation

b. Attribution

c. Social Comparison

d. Conformity

e. Obedience

Answer 1

Conformity refers to adjusting one's attitudes, beliefs and behaviour to match individuals of a particular group. Conformity refers to trying to fit-in a group and not be the odd one out. It includes abiding by the norms of a group. In the above case, an individual usually dresses up for school, wearing dress slacks and a button up shirt. However, after spending time with a group of students who dress much more casually, wearing ripped jeans and tee-shirts with holes, the individual adjusts his/her own style of clothing to become more casual. The person conforms to the norms of the group in order to fit in.

Thus, the correct answer is option, D.