Do people act a certain way defined by society to avoid embarassment?

Question

Some people who may not care one way or another about something will claim to believe a certain way or act a certain way in a situation to avoid being criticized or ridiculed for being different.
They subconsciously think of what the most popular or most accepted way to think or believe about something is. Rather than being independant or individualistic, they sacrafice themselves to majority thought to avoid scorn and possible retaliation.
Even if someone else violates a norm that they have no strong feelings about, they will scorn that person if they think it will make them look more accepted.

Has anyone else made these observations?

Answer 1

People also behave according to societal norms in order to avoid offending the majority of people around them. And sometimes because some of society's mores are darned good ones!

I have found that it is usually very immature (okay, they're usually young) people who "fake it' to the point you describe, although those same young people assume that older people simply "go along to get along."

I think they believe that because, as young people, they question everything, which is great, and as it should be. But we older people (the ones the young people think are too old to understand the changing world) don't HAVE to question everything anymore, because we've already weighed the pros and cons of many ideas, and decided what we believe! And those beliefs tend to be flexible enough to work in a variety of situations.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, in my experience, it is mostly mature people who have the courage to be true individuals, but our individuality is something deeper than green hair, and doesn't require us to say "f*ckin" in every sentence. We no longer need to *prove* our individuality to everyone, because we are secure in it.

Answer 2

Even though I realize these observations, I still participate in them as well (to a certain extent). :) It makes sense because generally no-one wants to be the outcast. Most people want to part of the "group" or "majority". The whole thing with social norms is that they are a type of control...think about it!

Answer 3

Yes they do and I have made these observations too. We are governed in many ways by silent society rules. Weird but very true.

Answer 4

Of course, It happens a lot on yahoo chat rooms even by the fact people tend to do that, what you have mention.

Answer 5

of course that's the reason you don't see many people walking around a mall naked. because in a "normal" society people wear cloths even though there not always necessary.

Answer 6

Well yes there are people who just want to fit in ..I've seen it many times . I feel the same just be who you are .I see it all the time..........Dave M

Answer 7

of course. Being ostracized for your beliefs is a great motivator.