The Evils of Conformity Conformity is a destructive term that has a much richer meaning than the dictionary definition may give. The word is formally defined as “action in accordance with some specified standard or authority” (“conformity”, Dictionary). Conforming to authority is often necessary for a society to be stable, such as citizens conforming to a government or students in a classroom conforming to the teacher. Despite its often necessity, conformity also causes individuals to suffer from indecision and at times perform negative social activities. It can change the way a person thinks and feels about themselves and the others around them. Conformity is the grip that restrains society. Solomon Ashe was one of the first psychologists
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“Hitler is known for saying, ‘What good fortune for governments that people do not think,’ and his policies were based on the premise that most individuals are conformists who do not think for themselves” (“The Nazis in Power”, para. 3). Hitler used this philosophy in establishing the Nazi Party. He was able to influence individuals through propaganda and fear. Hitler used people's desperation of conformity to plant ideas of a superior race and genocide in their minds. He forced them to believe that individuals with blonde hair and blue eyes, which he called Aryans, were superior to all other people. Hitler believed that this Aryan race should express their dominance by mass genocide of people they felt were inferior. Thus began the …show more content…
As shown in Ashe’s experiment, conforming to the majority happens more often than people think. It showed individuals will have a tendency to conform to the group even though they can see with their own eyes the obvious correct answer. Conformity shows up most commonly in teenagers as he or she attempt to find a place in society. It has led to bad decision-making that sometimes involves the law. Conforming to authority is also a big issue as seen in the Holocaust. Hitler convinced his officers to target people he deemed inferior and murder them using inhumane tactics. Conformity will always be seen in a negative light and hold society in a
“Hitler is known for saying, ‘What good fortune for governments that people do not think,’ and his policies were based on the premise that most individuals are conformists who do not think for themselves” (“The Nazis in Power”, para. 3). Hitler used this philosophy in establishing the Nazi Party. He was able to influence individuals through propaganda and fear. Hitler used people's desperation of conformity to plant ideas of a superior race and genocide in their minds. He forced them to believe that individuals with blonde hair and blue eyes, which he called Aryans, were superior to all other people. Hitler believed that this Aryan race should express their dominance by mass genocide of people they felt were inferior. Thus began the …show more content…
As shown in Ashe’s experiment, conforming to the majority happens more often than people think. It showed individuals will have a tendency to conform to the group even though they can see with their own eyes the obvious correct answer. Conformity shows up most commonly in teenagers as he or she attempt to find a place in society. It has led to bad decision-making that sometimes involves the law. Conforming to authority is also a big issue as seen in the Holocaust. Hitler convinced his officers to target people he deemed inferior and murder them using inhumane tactics. Conformity will always be seen in a negative light and hold society in a