Conformity in Indian Society

Do you remember that in 2014, a young man from the northeast was beaten to death in Delhi because of his appearance? Do you realize that every day, thousands of people face discrimination, harassment, or violence because of their caste, gender, language, or region? These are some of the examples of how conformity, or the pressure to conform, can have harmful consequences for individuals and society.

Conformity is the process of changing one’s beliefs, attitudes, actions, or perceptions to match those of a group or a society. Conformity can have positive or negative effects, depending on the situation and the context. In this blog, I will discuss some aspects of conformity in Indian society, and how they relate to psychological concepts and theories.

Conformity

Asch Experiment

The Asch experiment was a famous study conducted by Solomon Asch in the 1950s, which demonstrated how people conform to a majority opinion, even when it is clearly wrong. Asch asked participants to compare the length of a standard line with three comparison lines, and to say out loud which one matched the standard. However, the participants were surrounded by confederates of the experimenters, who gave unanimously incorrect answers on some trials. Asch found that about one-third of the participants conformed to the wrong answers, and only 24 percent never conformed.

Asch Experiment

The Asch experiment shows how powerful social pressure can be, and how it can influence our perception and judgment. In Indian society, where there is a strong emphasis on collectivism, harmony, and respect for elders, conformity may be even more prevalent and expected. People may conform to the norms and values of their family, community, religion, or caste, even if they disagree with them or have doubts about them. Conformity may also be influenced by factors such as education, gender, and social class.

Peer Groups

Peer groups are groups of people who have similar interests, age, background, or social status. Peer groups can provide support, friendship, and identity to their members, and can also shape their attitudes, behaviors, and preferences. Peer groups can have positive or negative influences on their members, depending on the nature and quality of the group.

In Indian society, peer groups play an important role in the socialization and development of children and adolescents. Peer groups can help them learn about their culture, values, and traditions, and also expose them to new ideas, experiences, and opportunities. Peer groups can also influence their choices regarding education, career, hobbies, and relationships. However, peer groups can also pressure their members to conform to their expectations and standards, and to avoid deviating from the group norms. Peer groups can also encourage or discourage their members from engaging in risky or harmful behaviors, such as substance abuse, violence, or sexual activity.

Schools

Schools are institutions that provide formal education to students. Schools can also be seen as social environments, where students interact with teachers, peers, and other staff. Schools can have a significant impact on the cognitive, emotional, and social development of students, and can also influence their values, beliefs, and aspirations.

In Indian society, schools are often regarded as the primary source of learning and knowledge, and as the gateway to higher education and employment. Schools can also foster a sense of national identity, civic responsibility, and cultural diversity among students. However, schools can also impose a high level of conformity on students, and expect them to follow strict rules, regulations, and curricula. Schools can also create or reinforce social inequalities, based on factors such as gender, caste, religion, language, or region.

Social Media

Social media are interactive technologies that allow people to create and share content, ideas, interests, and other forms of expression through virtual communities and networks. Social media can also be used for communication, information, entertainment, and socialization. Social media can have various benefits and drawbacks, depending on how they are used and by whom.

In Indian society, social media have become very popular and widespread, especially among the young generation. Social media can provide a platform for people to express themselves, connect with others, learn new things, and participate in social movements. Social media can also empower people to challenge the status quo, voice their opinions, and demand their rights. However, social media can also expose people to misinformation, manipulation, cyberbullying, and hate speech. Social media can also influence people’s self-image, self-esteem, and well-being, and make them conform to unrealistic or harmful standards of beauty, success, or happiness.

Arranged Marriages

Arranged marriages are marriages where the bride and groom are selected by their parents or other relatives, with or without the help of a matchmaker. Arranged marriages are based on factors such as family, caste, religion, education, income, and horoscope. Arranged marriages are still the norm in many parts of India, although some people also opt for love marriages or inter-caste marriages.

Arranged marriages can have advantages and disadvantages, depending on the perspective and experience of the people involved. Some people may prefer arranged marriages, because they trust their parents’ judgment, respect their traditions, or want to avoid the hassle of dating. Arranged marriages can also provide stability, security, and compatibility to the couple, and strengthen the bonds between the families. However, some people may dislike arranged marriages, because they feel that they have no choice, autonomy, or freedom in their marital decision. Arranged marriages can also result in dissatisfaction, unhappiness, or abuse, if the couple are not compatible, or if there is a lack of love, respect, or communication between them.

Women’s Empowerment Movements

Women’s empowerment movements are social movements that aim to improve the status, rights, and opportunities of women in society. Women’s empowerment movements challenge the patriarchal, sexist, and discriminatory norms and practices that oppress and exploit women, and advocate for gender equality, justice, and dignity. Women’s empowerment movements also celebrate the achievements, contributions, and diversity of women, and inspire them to realize their full potential.

In Indian society, women’s empowerment movements have a long and rich history, dating back to the pre-independence era. Women’s empowerment movements have fought for various issues, such as education, health, employment, political representation, legal rights, social reform, and violence against women. Women’s empowerment movements have also faced various challenges, such as backlash, resistance, and oppression from the dominant groups, as well as internal conflicts, divisions, and differences among the women themselves. Women’s empowerment movements have also evolved and adapted to the changing times, contexts, and needs of the women.

Digital India

Digital India is a flagship initiative of the Government of India, launched in 2015, with the vision of transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. Digital India aims to provide digital infrastructure, services, and literacy to all citizens, and to leverage the potential of information and communication technologies for development, governance, and inclusion. Digital India has various components, such as broadband connectivity, e-governance, e-education, e-health, e-commerce, e-agriculture, and e-security.

Digital India can have positive and negative impacts on the society, depending on how it is implemented and accessed. Digital India can facilitate access to information, opportunities, and services, and enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Digital India can also foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development, and create new avenues for growth and employment. However, Digital India can also pose challenges, such as digital divide, cybercrime, privacy, and security. Digital India can also influence the culture, values, and behavior of the people, and make them conform to or resist the digital norms and trends.

Technological Conformity

Technological conformity is the tendency of people to adopt and use the same or similar technologies as others, either willingly or unwillingly. Technological conformity can be influenced by various factors, such as availability, affordability, accessibility, usability, compatibility, functionality, reliability, and popularity. Technological conformity can also be affected by social factors, such as peer pressure, social norms, social identity, social influence, and social rewards.

Technological conformity can have advantages and disadvantages, depending on the context and the outcome. Technological conformity can enable communication, collaboration, and coordination among people, and create a sense of belonging and community. Technological conformity can also enhance learning, productivity, and performance, and reduce uncertainty and complexity. However, technological conformity can also limit creativity, diversity, and individuality, and create a loss of autonomy and agency. Technological conformity can also lead to dependency, addiction, and manipulation, and create ethical and moral dilemmas.