Social Conformity and Nonconformity PDF

Preview

Summary

Notes...

Description

Social Conformity and Nonconformity The nature of social conformity and nonconformity Sociological Imagination is about determining the relationship between ordinary lives of people and the wider social forces.  To detach oneself from their own life and to place themselves in other’s shoes.  To understand situations from another person’s perspective  Capacity to shift from one perspective to another  The capacity to range from the most impersonal and remote transformations to the intimate feature of the human self and to see the relations between the two.  Separate persons and identity from society and culture and how they have influences on one another.  A good lens to look through from conformity and non-conformity  Individual issue or bigger picture societal issue? Examples of how to apply Sociological Imagination A teenager feels really bad about how they look, wants to look a certain way and feels bad about themselves. Look at this with a sociological imagination perspective- either the fault of the individual for having these expectations from their own experiences or the fault of society for placing these expectations on people. Why conform?  Fear of being ostracised from the group/society.  Traditions amongst society  Socialisation- socialised in a certain way to conform to traditional norms  To feel more accepted into a community/group  Bringing shame to your family/friends for not conforming  Factors that influence conformity and obedience in individualsInformational conformity- An individual conforms because they believe others are correct. They can conform because they need to be right, they lack information or do not know the answers, assumes others know more, look to others for help when unsure, assumes the majority will be more reliable or assume others have more expertise. Normative conformity- One conforms because of a need to be accepted. They conform because they fear possible negative consequences of not going along with the group, they want to avoid conflict and rejection, they want to be accepted as part of the group or they don’t want to be different. Conforming to gender roles. Factors influencing conformity Age  Attractiveness of the group  Consensus  Culture  Difficulty of the task  Ethical and moral standards  Self-esteem/Self concept  Size of the group

Obedience- compliance with an order, request, law or submission to another’s authority. Obedience to laws. Factors Influencing Obedience  Identifiability – When one can be identified they become more obedience. E.g. littering at a football match vs littering in a small group.  Proximity- When one is in close proximity to authority they become obedient e.g. behaving close to a teacher, slowing down near police.  Punishment- when there is a punishment, one becomes obedient. E.g. penalties and fines, the harsher the penalty, the more obedient people become.  Setting- The more formal the setting the more the obedient people become- year assembly vs regular assembly.  Status- the more status the authority figure has the more likely people are to be obedient, people have more respect for those with higher status. E.g. classroom teacher vs principal.  Rewards-Rewards are used to encouraged obedience e.g. students being bribed with lollies for good work. intrinsic (I’m doing this with no thought of being rewarded) and extrinsic (I am only doing this because I might be rewarded) E.g. a student only completing work to be rewarded with lollies.  Laws- The law doesn’t just mean obedience e.g. underage drinking law is often broken because it is the norm.  Education- The more educated you are, the more suspicious you are of authority and less likely to conform. Educated people are less likely to submit themselves to authority and be obedient. E.g. with an educated society we are more likely to see protests and strikes as people become aware that authority isn’t always correct.  Independence- The more independent you are, the more self-aware you are and the less likely you are to be obedient. Dependency or reliance on an institution makes you obedient (don’t bite the hand that feeds you).  Religion- People who are religious are often being obedient to a higher power, does that make them more obedient in their day-today life because they are obedient in their moral sense? A person’s religion probably holds a lot against them- blackmail to be obedient. Football hooliganism- large group of people displaying anti-social behaviour Obedience is authority whereas conformity is power.  Responses to social influence: acquiescence, internalisation and identificationAcquiescence- When an individual complies yet may be a reluctant. The reluctant acceptance of something without protest. You may see a change of behaviour in the individual that may only last as long as the reward lasts/ Ina group, acquiescence may be evident because of peer pressure. An individual may acquiesce in order to please group members or avoid conflict by giving in. The more an individual is attracted to a group, the more likely they are to acquiesce and adhere to the group’s requirements. Some meso-level groups conduct initiation ceremonies in which a new member is required to carry out various activities before being accepted

(college hazing). Consequently, the individual may agree to participate even though it may be contrary to their personal beliefs because social desirability is a strong need. At a micro level, people may acquiesce when answering questionnaires for researches they tend to respond in a way they believe someone else would like them to, this is called social desirability bias. Internalisation- Occurs when an individual modifies their behaviour if they think the group which they belong is right. People adopt opinions, behaviours and actions of the group and incorporate them into their own personal life and value system. Closely linked to socialisation and the process of learning what is acceptable and not. Contribute to the development of a personal identity and the norms and rules that become features as apart of one’s personality. Identification- Occurs when people agree to give in to group pressure by certain members. Relates directly to people’s desire, how attractive they perceive the influencer to be and the degree of emotional attachment to the influencer. They make decisions or change their behaviour in order to maintain a positive and self-defining relationship with the influencer. Three steps to social identification1. Social categorisation- when a person and others are perceived, defined or recognised as members of distinct social groups. They are consequently stereotypes- footy player, scientist, hipster hairdresser. 2. Ascertaining norms- these distinguish one group from others. Groups seen as more extreme and homogenous than they really are. 3. Self-stereotyping- perceived characteristic of the in-group are adopted or conformed to.  Deindividuation: the impact of personal anonymity of individuals in groupsDeindividuation- When individuals lose-awareness and self-restraint when acting within a group that allows more anonymity. When deindividuation occurs, individuals feel less responsible for their actions and will do things in groups that they otherwise would not do. The three most important factors for deindividuation in a group of people are: Anonymity, so I cannot be found out. Diffused responsibility, so I am not responsible for my actions. Group size, as a larger group increases the above two factors. Effects of deindividuation: Lack of responsibility for actions – defendants at Nuremberg Trials, soldiers in conflict zones Crowds provide opportunity to ‘hide and share blame’ i.e. littering at stadiums, schools Cyberbullying and online harassment, where social cues are absent, and identity is hidden Internet software piracy, where people can download material virtually anonymously Situational conditions INPUTS- Individual as part of a group, may have an altered state of mind, experiences sensory overload, participates in an unstructured situation, a sense of group unity exists.

Intrapersonal Transformation CHANGES- Lesser degree of guilt, shame and concern for society, fear is reduced, feelings of no responsibility and loss of societal commitment. Overt Behaviours and Outcomes OUTPUT- Impulsive behaviour, aggression, difficulty in stopping bad behaviour, distorted perceptions and senese of time, destruction of traditional values and norms and unrestrained behaviour. ExamplesWhat turns people into looters? - https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine14463452 Halloween Candy Experiment http://socialpsychonline.com/2015/10/halloween-psychologydeindividuation/  How nonconformity determines the boundary between ‘appropriate’ and ‘inappropriate’ behaviours and attitudesNonconformity is a deviation from social norms. Norms Shared expectations of behaviour that are considered to be culturally and socially desirable and appropriate. Norms and prescriptive but lack the formal status of rules. They vary across groups, cultures and societies. Society operates on the basis of majority influence and consensus; however, people and groups might have contradicting interests that differ from the shared influence of the majority. Types of Social Norms (If not adhered to, indicate inappropriate behaviour include): Legal Norms- Enshrined in law and are established for the common good of society. Boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate are clearly defined, as are the penalties. Examples Violence  Murder  Rape  Shoplifting Example of the breaking of legal norms- Wiki Leaks. The norm is that the secrets of state should not be shared. However, the people operating within Wiki Leaks believe that the government are committing war crimes and that the public have the right to know. Moral Norms- Non-Conformity evident at a Micro level where accountability to family and friends who uphold similar standards is high. Examples- Family upholding instilled values that are similar to the law. If an underage individual shoplifts and gets off from the police, the parents who hold these moral values would come down on the child. Example of the breaking of moral norms- Pushing in line, not giving up a seat to someone, pushing at a concert. Religious Norms- Non-conformity to preached standards can at times be covert. Examples- Not giving money to the church, living together before marriage, same-sex marriage and polygamy. Example of the breaking of religious norms- A couple who live together before marriage.

Other social norms include:  Relationships - The man approaching the women first - The man paying - The man being dominant - The man being taller - Heteronormativity  Behaviour in shops  Mobile phones  Taboo questions to ask colleagues  Asking how much things cost  A sickie  The social costs and benefits of nonconformity for both individuals and the wider societyWider SocietyCosts Benefits Widespread suspicion of Clarifies social norms and makes boundaries more obvious, causing nonconformist groups Perpetuating effect- may stimulate society to define, adjust and more deviance descending further reaffirm social norms Serves as a precursor for change into disarray Unproductive deviance i.e. i.e. Martin Luther King Jr and the vandalism, structural violence and civil rights movement Increases unity within a groupinequality Disruption of social order and deviance may remind people of they valuethen social control leading to social something dislocation and exclusion of some strengthens the value Challenges the status quo e.g. groups school students opposing Intergroup aggression and tension government climate policies Anti-authoritarian problems More time-consuming and costly Highlights recognition and the decision marking processes due to need for human rights to be afforded to all disagreements Flow-on effect to others in society Seeks to celebrate differences i.e. Australian citizens travelling within society e.g. the Gay and overseas to fight with Islamic State Lesbian Mardi Gras Marginality of some groups and Social media can be used to inform and educate the public about unequal access to resources various regimes and practices the impinge on human rights Spurs social change Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurism IndividualsCosts Benefits identity can be Erodes trust between family Individual expressed openly and freely members and peers Acute awareness of legal, civil and Social exclusion Stigmatisation, such as in the case political rights

Independence, agency and rational choices Interference of greater status and competence Celebration of diverse individuals within society e.g. LGBTIQ+ persons Creation of communities Recognition that one person has the power to make significant change Greater participation in public life Strengthened viewpoints and empowerment  The impact of agenda setting, including the role of the media, on attitude formation in individuals and groupsAgenda setting describes a very powerful influence on the media, it is the ability to tell society what issues are important. Agenda setting theory dates back to 1922 newspaper columnist Walter Lippman. In 1968, 1972 and 1976 McCombs and Shaw investigated the US presidential campaigns, focusing on awareness and information. Investigating the agenda-setting function of the mass media, they attempted to assess the relationship between what voters in one community said were important issues and the actual content of the media campaign. It was concluded that the mass media exerted a significant influence on what voters considered to be the major issues of the campaign. Chapel Hill McComb and Shaw study- Found that “amongst the major stories presented in the media, much of the news about a presidential campaign has little to do with issues. A lot deals with candidates themselves and assessments of who might win or lose.” By focusing on who is in the lead audiences could be swayed to vote in that direction, this being evident as Richard Nixon led by 20%. Focus on the image, family, education etc. of a candidate demonstrates the image focus of social politics. High correlation between “relative media emphasis and voters’ beliefs about the importance of the same list of issues”. Proved that there was evidence of agenda-setting. Core: Agenda-setting is the creation of public awareness and concern of salient issues by the news media. Two basis assumptions underlie most research on agenda setting: 1) The press and the media do not reflect reality; they filter and shape it; 2) Media concentration on a few issues and subjects leads the public to perceive those issues as more important than other issues. One of the most critical aspects in the concept of an agenda-setting role of mass communication is the time frame for this phenomenon. In addition, different media outlets have different agenda-setting potential. Agenda-setting theory seems quite appropriate to help us understand the pervasive role of the media. of gender nonconformists Psychological damage and uncertainty about acceptance Confusion about identity and predictability of personal interactions Not feeling secure/safe Fear victimisation Labelled for life after a ‘deviant’ act Censure/disapproval

 The ways the ideologies, values and behaviours of a subcultural group currently perceived as not conforming to the wider society may influence others and lead to social changeNonconformist groups are extremely important in instigating social change. If the world were full of conformists, there would not be as much diversity in art, music, film, politics, business and every other aspect of society. Many groups draw attention to current inequalities, failings or abuses and target the relevant governments. Positive social change takes place when the authorities alter their practices and policies. Some wellrespected nonconformist groups have been solely responsible for improving the life chances of people at macro, meso and micro levels. Example- Civil rights movement (the black panthers), women’s suffrage movement, the white rose group.  Research ObservationFrequency 16, 9 on skate boards and 7 on Total number of users per 30 scooters. Only 3 had helmets. minutes Everyone wore either jeans or tracksuit pants. Jumpers and windbreakers common. One individual committed graffiti, 7 smoked and 5 littered cans. No one was there by themselves. Frequent swearing, comments such as ‘sick one’ and encouragement of doing tricks. Total number of spectators per 7 spectators. Similar clothing and behaviour. 30 minutes Gender distribution Park users- 3 female, younger. 6 spectators female, interacted with others skating. Focus study The Brujas The historical and social development of the groupThe first skateboard was created in 1950’s, with modern and manufactured versions emerging in the 1960’s. Skateboarding quickly became a popular sport, being represented in pop culture and sporting competitions, the sport was predominately practiced by males. Skateboarding is often considered inherently political as the sport or hobby is intertwined with the structures of public space, questions ownership of private property, and creates small moments of performed resistance. In 2014, the skate group ‘The Brujas’ was created by New York locals Sheyla Grullón and Arianna Maya Gil. The group was created as a response to the dominate male presence in skate culture and history. The group consists of women, predominately women of colour, and advocates for the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals. Bruja is Spanish for witch.

The group of predominately 15 to 27-year-olds gather in various locations across New York, including Washington Heights and King’s Bridge. However, their main meeting place is Riverview Skate Park which borders the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. Skating is a way in which the marginalised members of the Brujas can resist traditional norms and structures which exclude them, and it allows from them to reclaim space for themselves. Gentrification- the process of renovating or improving a house of district so it conforms to middle class tastes. New York is a region that has been highly gentrified. Anti-gentrification is an essential value of the Brujas and further develops their environmental historical development. America Census Bureau Statistics from Kay Hymowitz “No, gentrification isn’t making NYC less diverse” Between 1990 and 2010, the New York middle class decreased from 43 per cent to 33.3 per cent  Within Manhattan, minority groups have continued to be a majority. Over the course of 20 years, there has only been a 3 per cent change.  In Harlem, the white population had increased by 1000 per cent since 1990, with this number being 3000 per cent in BedfordStuyvesant  There is a continuity in ethnic specific businesses in New York, this decreases interracial interaction despite the city being increasingly diverse  Harlem’s immigrant population is increasing, a quarter of the population was born in another nation  New York’s African American population decreased by nearly 3 per cent between 1990 and 2010 The role of status, authority, power, privilege and responsibility within the groupStatus- Within the Brujas, those who have more expertise and knowledge take on a leadership role and delegate rules, higher status. Members of the group traditionally have had less status within the wider society due to racist, sexist and homophobic social norms. The group aims to create an equal status and outline the equal importance of individuals as a consequence of this. Status based on knowledge and experience rather than generalised judgements. Authority- The group rejects ideas of traditional hierarchy as they view it as a product of colonialism. Those in positions of authority are often challenged by the Brujas and there is significant fear and rejection of authority. Racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and many other forms of discrimination, are considered to be embedded into authoritative institutions and thus there is a rejection of this as many members of the Brujas are a part of these marginalised communities. The justice system and police officers, those with power and authority are further rejected by the Brujas due to discrimination being prevalent in discretion and these macro institutions. They challenge the power of cor...