I would like to provide an example of obedience first because as a child grows the first phenomenon it encounters is exactly obedience. When my parents told me to eat my meals, not to go far, not to touch the hot saucepan, go to bed or get dressed warmly I simply did what I was told to without questioning. After that at school, I would answer questions, do my homework and hand in tests: I acted obediently to someone who has higher authority. I am not engaged in religious life but now I can identify signs of obedience in my friends’ life when they go to church and listen to their spiritual mentor. However, when the person grows, there are fewer authorities left in its life.
Mechanisms of conformity proved themselves effective when as a teenager I was a part of the really cool clique. They were what we now call “nonconformists”: wore avant-garde clothes, had piercing, tattoos, occasionally drunk spirits, ignored parents, teachers etc. So to be part of that group you were obliged to have either piercing or a tattoo and in my silly pursuit of attention I actually did ear piercing. Under the influence of the group members, I violated personal and social rules. Now as a grown-up I experience another type of social conformity strain: to get married and have children (pressing especially hard on women).
Last but not least I have as well experienced compliance. Going with my parents on a vacation to the grandparents, buying some products from the sales agent, helping my friend when he asks and even advertisements on the internet are based on compliance.
Work cited:
Gilovich, Thomas, et al. Social Psychology. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2013. Print.
