Conformity and Obedience: The Dark Side of Social Influence | by Informed DecisionNG | Mar, 2023

Social media illustrations by Storyset

Jordan Peterson is probably one of the most talkative psychologists on planet earth, and I listen to every word he says, not to agree, but to see how true they are. Initially, I hated the man. YouTube kept sending me his feed, and at the time, I had gotten heartbroken again.

I think the algorithm wanted to send self-help alternatives to deal with the stress I was going through, but his lectures kept popping up, and they were mostly about the different natures men and women possess.

I didn’t want to be educated on that, and I also didn’t want to see women as different from me. If I didn’t, I would have to forgive my ex because she wasn’t as calculative as I thought she was.

But I sank into hours of learning from him, checking the research he referenced in his lectures and reading more behavioral science literature than most students of the course.

Today, I agree with so many of his talking points. Some of them I could have sworn were mine in the first place. Just to get back to school after the pandemic and find that many other guys had started listening to him too, agreeing and disagreeing with what he had to say to different degrees but respecting that he could say them.

This is what social influence looks like. This is the study of how the thoughts, feelings, and behavior of others are influenced by others.

The way I got roped into all this was through persuasion. It is a common form of social influence where messages are received that have the power to change a person’s attitude, belief, or behavior.

Influence happens in different ways besides persuasion, including social comparison, conformity, obedience, and the spread of attitudes through a social network.

Social media illustrations by Storyset

Conformity is one of the most popular forms of social influence. In conformity, there is a tendency for people to take the general attitude or behavior of their peers so that they can fit or be accepted into the group.

In some cases, the person conforming does not really believe what the group believes but because of the large size, social support to the individual, and the authority figure present.

One very popular form of conformity is following fashion trends so that you can fit into a social group or so that everyone can see that they belong to a certain social group. Some of the trends are downright ridiculous, but people will do it simply because others are.

Like the “Ama kip kip” Phase in Africa that came from South Africa. There was so much emphasis on having an original so you would look like a cool kid whose parents had money.

In cult groups, their modus operandi is called “coercive persuasion” or “thought reform” where extreme unethical methods are used to manipulate and control individuals, but there is an element of conformity in it.

The concept of “groupthink” comes into play when the group decides to take up unanimous, uncritical acceptance of what the group believes.

Social media illustrations by Storyset

In obedience, the people who are influenced by the authority figure comply with every directive of their leader, even when it does not follow what they stand for.

Some pathological forms of obedience are seen in Stockholm syndrome, battered person syndrome, military training, and also cult involvement.

In military training, the design of their training is specifically to instill obedience and discipline in the soldiers. This is the reason why many unbelievable war crimes have been committed all throughout history. The soldiers have been trained mentally not to believe that they can not question authority, and quite often they can’t. The consequences for disobedience may lead to death.

Obedience in African homes where physical discipline takes place has a similar undertone, but I think once the child is independent, most of that discipline is reinforced or done away with.

Social influence has its good parts like, for example, David H. Rosmarin found that there is a strong relationship between those who are religious (specifically among Jews).

Jesus applied a form of social influence when he said:

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:10

To this day, people in church sing

Trust and Obey, for there is no other way to be HAPPY in Jesus, than to Trust and Obey.

Could it be that the ancient thinkers knew something we don’t today? Also, what form of social influence was Jesus applying as he prepared to die on the cross in the last supper?

Inkscape.org

In conclusion, the power of social influence is undeniable and can manifest in different ways, including persuasion, conformity, and obedience. The impact of social influence can be positive or negative, depending on the situation and the intentions of the influencer.

While conformity can lead to fitting in or being accepted, it can also result in groupthink or unethical behavior. Obedience to authority can lead to discipline and order, but it can also result in pathological obedience, as seen in cases like Stockholm syndrome or cult involvement.

Ultimately, social influence has been used for centuries, as seen in religious teachings and ancient thinkers, and it continues to shape our thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors today.

Inkscape.org

Social media illustrations by Storyset

A lot is also hidden in context, but what does it mean to be a social media influencer? Isn’t this someone who uses their social influence to impact others online?

While this could be a positive thing, it also raises questions about the potential for manipulation and control of people’s thoughts and behaviors.

Lastly is social media good for children? Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Some people have a stronger mind than others but the general population have to follow through.

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