in what way are obedience and conformity similar and different?

Question

psychology

Answer 1

You conform to the ideal

Obedience is to an individual's wishes

Answer 2

Obedience Conformity

Answer 3

Obedience means one follows orders, and such orders need not be conforming to any socially pre-set rules or values.

Conformity means one adopting the 'mainstream' way of life voluntarily to avoid being the odd one out. One does not have to receive orders from anyone to conform.

I would say being obedient can be a form of conformity.

Answer 4

The main similarity between obedience and conformity is that they are both forms of social influence (i.e. changes in our behaviour in response to the behaviour of other people). The main difference between obedience and conformity is that they are different types of social influence:

Conformity is a form of IMPLICIT social influence/pressure. I.e. we do what we THINK that we SHOULD do. E.g. If my friend wore black and I wore white, I might go home and change because I think that I should be wearing black, because that's what my friend is doing. NB. My friend (or anyone else for that matter) hasn't actually told me to go and change into black clothes (i.e. it's not against the law or anything and I'm not disobeying my friend), but I feel that I should. Hence, the term, implicit (hinted at, suggested) pressure.

Obedience is a form of EXPLICIT social influence/pressure. I.e. We do what we're TOLD to do, usually by people with 'personal' or 'social' power over us (authority figures), such as parents, teachers, doctors and the police. E.g. When I was at school, I had to wear a uniform, but wore what I wanted everywhere else, because I was obeying the school rule (law) of wearing a uniform. NB. I wore a uniform at school because the school TOLD me to do it. Hence, the term explicit (open, stated) pressure!


For other differences, read up on social influence in a Psychology textbook, such as psychology for A Level by Cardwell, Clark and Meldrum.

Answer 5

Conformity is the degree to which members of a group will change their behavior, views and attitudes to fit the views of the group.

The group can influence members via subconscious processes or via overt peer pressures on individuals.

Group size, unanimity, cohesion, status, prior commitment and public opinion all help to determine the level of conformity an individual will reflect towards his group.

Obedience is subjecting yourself to higher authorities.This differs from compliance, which is behavior influenced by peers. This is in turn different from conformity, which is behavior intended to match that of the majority.

Obedience is often associated with social dominance and submission.

Not bad for a 13 year old

Answer 6

In reality, none. Obedience conceived as unwilling co-operation to authority could be a conformist attitude, but obedience is not by definition an unwilling co-operation. Unwillingness is a contingent condition, not a principle of human action until we understand that disobedience or its potential is a presented constituent of human essence, which is in human nature principle condition, i.e. the interests for the group are in conflict with the interest of an individual. Beyond that kind of conflict is difference in Idea in a group that identifies with one description for their idea and that Idea of the originating group, i.e. subculture. The two ideas are in contradiction, both ideas positing a description for free living, freedom, freedom from somethings and/or freedom to somethings, some actions.

Conformity is seen as willingness as obedience not, but this is an assumption in definition and is unsubstantiated abstraction.

Answer 7

conformity is on a collective basis which means rules r rules n where as obedience is like teaching ur kids 2 behave which means rules get blur depending how stern u b .

Answer 8

obedience implies rules, conformity implies standards

Answer 9

Similar as in following a systemated order.
Difference being the presence and absence of freewill.