[Make-up] Conformity Is Bad! Or Is It?

Conformity is a word that often has negative connotations. When we conform, we're though of someone that falls prey to peer pressure, that jumps on the band wagon, that can't hold our own opinion. Indeed, conformity can be extremely harmful. As our textbook explains through the Asch conformity experiments, we risk losing our opinions, and often the right answer, when we conform. Even if we can hold onto our opinion within a group, we feel pressured, stressed, and looked down upon. In reality, a lot is sacrificed to fit in.

While conforming can be harmful, we often overlook its advantages. One of them is learning customs of different cultures. Every culture has different values and expectations. Learning and practicing these traditions (on the basis that's it's not something harmful and contradicts with your own expectations) can be a way to adjust to a new environment and show respect for other cultures. After all, we all know that "when in Rome, do as the Romans do!"

In other cases, conforming can also be a way to make effective group work. Many times, group projects get stalled because of somebody nitpicking over little details. In these cases, it's often better to go with the group's idea, and see the picture as a whole. Now, be careful to distinguish "seeing the big picture" from group think. Group think is mindlessly following the group's opinion, without more thought to consequences. "Seeing the big picture" requires learning to accepts alternatives for a better solution.

Conformity is a double sided blade. While it's bad to fall to peer pressure, it's also useful to integrate into other cultures. The most important thing about conformity is to keep your own values in ground: Know what is right, stick with what is right, and you'll know when to follow along.