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Conformity. It's something we all have to deal with at some point in our lives. 

So the question is, when we are just left to ourselves, without the influences we have socially, do we really imitate each other? To tell you the truth, I'm not really sure. Should we imitate each other? I don't know the answer to that either. So why am I analyzing the psychology of conformity you ask? Well, that's mainly because my editor told me to. But that's beside the point.

Every single person on the planet earth is subject to some type of influence, whether good or bad, whether from elders, peers, or those younger than themselves. Particularly we, as teenagers, are subject to a great deal of influence, usually resulting in conformity. Every day we have parents, teachers, and other elders telling us to do one thing, while our peers and friends tell us to do something as well. In several cases, these two things are completely different from each other!!

First, we shall look at the example of just normal behavior. Generally speaking, in any social group when someone does something other people tend to imitate them. That's how trends start. Someone says something, wears something, or does something that someone else thinks is cool. So everyone else thinks it is cool too and, of course, they want to be cool, so they do it. However, when someone does something deemed “uncool,” that person then finds themselves imitating “cool” people so that they can regain a “cool” status. In the end, I think no matter what, we tend to imitate each other, because we all want to be loved and accepted. It is part of our human nature.

Another aspect of social conformity is the Biblical and Christian aspect.  While we, as Christians, don’t want to “stick out like a sore thumb,” to borrow the cliché, we don’t want to blend in so much that we’re not noticed either.  Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” [New International Version, emphasis added]. Jesus also commands us in Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” [NIV].

Unfortunately peer pressure, social influence, and conformity are things that exist and will continue to exist in our lives until the day we die. But that doesn’t mean we have to be controlled by them. If we remember that there is a God who loves us, who created this universe and specifically designed each and every one of us, then we’ll have no need to conform and give weigh to peer pressure. Now I know that’s easy to say, and much harder to do, but hey, we can always work for it, can’t we?

 

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