Robert Greene describes the Law of Conformity as the natural tendency of individuals to adapt their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes to align with those of the group or society they are a part of. This law suggests that people have a deep-seated need to belong and be accepted by others, which often leads them to conform to the norms and expectations of their social environment.

It is believed that the instinct to conform is a trait we passed down to us from our early ancestors. Social cohesion and belonging within ancestral human communities conferred a survival advantage when living in dangerous environments. Physically, humans have no “built in weapons” and were easy prey to animals or to the violence of nature in general unless they stuck together.

More specifically, being part of a group conferred the following advantages.

Safety in numbers. In the early stages of human evolution, living in groups provided protection against predators and other threats. Those who conformed to the behaviors and norms of the group were more likely to stay within the safety of the group and less likely to be isolated and vulnerable to danger. Being similar to others meant less risk of being rejected or excluded from the protective benefits of the group.

Resource sharing. Human societies have long relied on cooperation and sharing of resources for survival. Conforming to group norms ensured a fair distribution of resources and minimized conflict within the group. People who adhered to social norms and norms of resource sharing were more likely to receive support when they needed it.

Reproduction and mate selection. Individuals who were well-integrated into their social groups had better opportunities for finding mates and forming reproductive partnerships. Conforming to social norms and fitting in with the group increased an individual’s chances of attracting a mate and being accepted by her own sub-group and successfully raising offspring within the supportive structure of the community.

Cultural transmission. Early human societies relied heavily on cultural knowledge and information passed down through generations. Conforming to the customs, practices, and beliefs of the group was a way to ensure the transmission of vital survival skills and accumulated knowledge.

Reduced conflict. By adhering to group norms, individuals reduced the likelihood of conflicts and disagreements within their communities. This lowered the chances of internal strife that could weaken the group’s ability to defend itself and secure resources.

In-group cooperation. In-group cooperation often led to competition with other groups for resources. Individuals who demonstrated loyalty and conformity to their group’s norms and values contributed to the group’s cohesion and effectiveness in competition with other groups.

Though advantageous in ancestral environments, conformity can also lead to challenges in modern societies. It might lead to stifling creativity, suppressing individuality, and perpetuating harmful norms. We can find a balance between conforming to positive group values and expressing individuality.

Studious Guy (https://studiousguy.com/everyday-life-examples-of-conformity/) writes that there are two kinds of conformity: compliance and internalization.

1. Compliance– It involves changing our behavior while we are still internally disagreeing with the group. It is shallow conformity.

2. Internalization– It involves changing our behavior, also internally as we believe in the viewpoint of the group. It is deep conformity.

Here are three examples that illustrate the Law of Conformity:

Asch conformity experiment. In the 1950s, psychologist Solomon Asch conducted a series of experiments where participants were asked to compare the lengths of lines. However, the majority of the participants were actually actors instructed to give incorrect answers. The real participant, despite knowing the correct answer, often conformed to the group’s incorrect response to avoid standing out or being perceived as different.

Fashion trends. The fashion industry is a prime example. People often adopt clothing styles, accessories, and beauty trends that are popular within their social circles. This conformity to fashion trends is driven by a desire to fit in and project a certain image to others.

Corporate Culture and Groupthink: In corporate settings, employees often conform to the prevailing company culture and opinions to maintain harmony and avoid conflict. This can sometimes lead to groupthink, where critical thinking and diverse viewpoints are suppressed in favor of unanimous agreement, even if it’s not the best decision. A notorious example of destructive groupthink is the downfall of Enron, a US energy company based in Houston, Texas, where a culture of conformity and unquestioning acceptance of leadership decisions led to unethical practices, financial manipulation, and the title for being one of the biggest accounting frauds in history. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001.

The pressure to conform varies across cultures, social strata, ages, and many other factors that define a group. It can also vary with the situation, e.g., a terrorist attack will cause people to scamper everywhere, but a mob will draw even random strangers to participate in looting. Political activities, especially elections, are excellent examples as well.

Here are some ways to manage the Law of Conformity:

Be aware of your own tendencies to conform. Reflect on your beliefs, decisions, and actions to determine if they are driven by genuine alignment with your values or mere conformity to societal pressures.

Develop the skill of critical thinking. Evaluate information, opinions, and decisions independently rather than automatically adopting the group’s perspective. This can help you make well-informed choices that are in line with your own judgment.

Embrace your individuality and uniqueness. Recognize that it’s okay to have different viewpoints and preferences from those around you. Authenticity can be more rewarding than conforming to the expectations of others. Be especially mindful about whether your desire to conform is motivated by a desire to feel better about yourself, i.e., conformity as a way to kill the pain of low esteem.

Surround yourself with individuals who respect diverse opinions and encourage independent thinking. Seek out communities and relationships that value individuality and open-mindedness.

Politely challenge group assumptions and norms when necessary. This doesn’t mean always going against the grain, but rather engaging in constructive discussions that encourage different perspectives. Paul Arden’s Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite advocates for embracing unconventional and counterintuitive approaches to decision-making and life choices. Know, however, that going against the norm will require having a strong character. I do not like to think of a strong character as resulting from traits, but rather from the simple conviction that if you are here, alive, right now, it means you had the ability to survive. Having survived, you will survive still.

Sometimes conformity can be beneficial, such as adhering to social norms that promote kindness and cooperation. And teamwork, of course. However, be mindful of the motivations behind your conformity and ensure it aligns with your personal values. Beware the psychology of the mob, where every member loses all accountability.

The Law of Conformity is a natural aspect of human behavior. Understanding and managing it can empower you to make choices that are more aligned with your authentic self and also get things done.

Next up, the Law of Fickleness.

(Q.C. 230823)