Society is entirely composed of social groups. What it is? Speaking relatively conventionally, a social group is an association of people who have common values and goals. Social groups are small, medium and large in the number of people who are members of them. Each of them puts forward its own norms, called social. These are certain rules of behavior that are characteristic of almost all representatives of this group.
In relation to these norms, people can be conditionally divided into conformists and non-conformists.
Conformist - who is it?
It is important to understand that each person is, to one degree or another, a conformist. And this is sometimes even good. The problem is that some people make it their lifestyle. But what is conformism? A conformist is a person who obeys the requirements of a social group or society as a whole. Based on this, we can conclude that each of us is related to this concept, since to one degree or another we still adhere to group and social norms. A conformist is not a disenfranchised member of society. Moreover, he himself chose this model of behavior. And it can change it. Thus, we can draw another conclusion: a conformist is a lifestyle, a habitual way of thinking that undergoes a change.
An example of group norms can be family, school charters, and so on. In the case of social norms, this is for the most part the rules of etiquette: "do not swear," "give way to public places." In the event that a person does not want to obey the norms, he is called a nonconformist.
Degrees of nonconformism
We also have this characteristic. Even Freud said that our psyche is constantly torn between its natural impulses and social requirements. These positions were supported by such a social psychologist as McDougall, and many others. Non-conformism is characteristic of all, but each person manifests it in his own way. There are several degrees of nonconformism.
Socially Approved Behavior
A pure conformist is a certain category of individuals. People of this type try to comply as much as possible with group and social norms. If this cannot be done, then the person feels an inferiority complex. Moreover, quite often some norms are contradictory. That which is permissible in one social group, is punished in another.
And the confusion that appears in such people leads to a number of processes that are destructive for self-esteem. Therefore, conformists for the most part are insecure people. This makes it very difficult to communicate with others. A conformist person is one who obeys the requirements of society. And sometimes it is necessary. Without this, it would be impossible to simply survive.
Deviant behavior
Deviation is actually a deviation from the norm. Deviants can be called those people who loudly swear, do not concede a place in public transport or show non-conformism in other areas. Such behavior is characterized by deviations from social or group norms, while it is not approved by society. However, for such people there are no special sanctions, except comments from others. Another thing is when the degree of non-conformism reaches such proportions that behavior begins to be called delinquent.
What is delinquent behavior?
Delicative behavior is such a small degree of conformism that a person goes to break the laws. However, everything here is also relative. After all, the same conformism may become the cause of delinquent behavior. Based on this, we can conclude that this same behavior can be both a manifestation of conformism and the result of non-conformism. It all depends on which social group is taken as a reference point. It would be logical to talk about the phenomenon of social conformism. What is expressed non-conformism in this case? What can be called such people?
Social conformism
We have already figured out that there are several types of norms: group and social. In fact, the latter are a more large-scale phenomenon, and group ones are only a small particle of social norms. But the phenomenon of conformism remains the same in any case. What is social conformism? Let's get it right. A social conformist is a person who wants to swim along the generally accepted course, fully comply with the requirements put forward by society, or try to do it. For social conformism, a phenomenon such as fashion is characteristic.
People who chase after it try to put on what is now in trend in order to get social approval. Yes, for self-esteem this is really a blessing. But at the same time everything should be in moderation. You should not make yourself dependent on approval or, on the contrary, disapproval of people. This is a losing tactic that will lead nowhere. In no case should you lose your “I” behind the abstract “We”. We need to learn to balance between social norms and personal desires. Everything needs a measure, then you can live a normal life.
Marginals
Outcasts are people who manifest social non-conformism to the maximum. They seem to tear themselves away from society due to the fact that their system of life values does not correspond to the generally accepted one. Criminals or people of lower social strata can be cited as examples of marginals. Moreover, in a large number of cases, they themselves chose this model of behavior. This factor should be considered.
conclusions
As for the results of this article, they are as follows: it is necessary to include conformism with the right people, relying on their own system of life values. They should be a determining factor that will indicate whether you need to listen to the requirements of others or not. If for some reason your life values do not meet the standards, then you should look for the social group in which it is approved. After all, there is another such parameter, which is called group values. And it is from them that standards come. Only in this case, your self-esteem can be optimal. You need to think with your head, and not stick to the herd instinct.