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One manifestation of conformism emerges in the practice of "going along and getting along" with people who appear to be more [[power (sociology) | powerful]]. Conformism holds that individuals and small groups do best by blending in with their surroundings and by doing nothing [[eccentricity (behaviour)|eccentric]] or out-of-the-ordinary in any way.
One manifestation of conformism emerges in the practice of "going along and getting along" with people who appear to be more [[power (sociology) | powerful]]. Conformism holds that individuals and small groups do best by blending in with their surroundings and by doing nothing [[eccentricity (behaviour)|eccentric]] or out-of-the-ordinary in any way.


By definition, conformism presents the [[antithesis]] both of [[creativity]] and of [[innovation | innovative]] [[leadership]], and hence opposes [[change]] and/or [[wikt:Progress|progress]] itself. [[Authoritarian]] [[institution]]s (such as [[military]] organizations and organized [[religion]]s) tend to glorify and reinforce conformism within their ranks, as do many large [[corporations]].
By definition, conformism presents the [[antithesis]] both of [[creativity]] and of [[innovation | innovative]] [[leadership]], and hence opposes [[change]] and/or [[wikt:Progress|progress]] itself. [[Authoritarian]] [[institution]]s (such as [[military]] organizations) tend to glorify and reinforce conformism within their ranks, as do many large [[corporations]].


One view of innovation stresses the importance of outward or grand-scale conformism. Since open and extreme [[Rebellion|rebels]] get incarcerated or killed, according to this theory, effective change may require minor, incremental acts of a non-conforming nature.
One view of innovation stresses the importance of outward or grand-scale conformism. Since open and extreme [[Rebellion|rebels]] get incarcerated or killed, according to this theory, effective change may require minor, incremental acts of a non-conforming nature.

Revision as of 18:20, 22 October 2009

Conformism is a term used to describe the suspension of an individual's self-determined actions or opinions in favor of obedience to the mandates or conventions of one's peer-group, or deference to the imposed norms of a supervening authority.

One manifestation of conformism emerges in the practice of "going along and getting along" with people who appear to be more powerful. Conformism holds that individuals and small groups do best by blending in with their surroundings and by doing nothing eccentric or out-of-the-ordinary in any way.

By definition, conformism presents the antithesis both of creativity and of innovative leadership, and hence opposes change and/or progress itself. Authoritarian institutions (such as military organizations) tend to glorify and reinforce conformism within their ranks, as do many large corporations.

One view of innovation stresses the importance of outward or grand-scale conformism. Since open and extreme rebels get incarcerated or killed, according to this theory, effective change may require minor, incremental acts of a non-conforming nature.

See also