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In Social Studies / High School | 2025-07-08

At an event, Michael saw a large group of people lining up for something. He decided to join them, noticing that not many others were standing around. This is an example of conformity authority obedience compliance

Asked by alyssavit789

Answer (1)

The scenario describes an example of conformity .
Conformity refers to the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms or the behavior of others. It often happens in social circles, where individuals tend to adopt certain actions or opinions to fit in with the group, avoid being an outsider, or align with group behaviors due to perceived social pressure.
In Michael's case, he decided to join the line when he saw a large group of people doing so, even though he had no prior information about what they were queuing for. This illustrates how social influence can lead to conformity, as people tend to follow the actions of others, assuming there's a good reason for their behavior.
To differentiate from other terms:

Authority typically involves following directions from an individual or institution with recognized power or control.

Obedience involves complying with the orders or instructions of a figure of authority.

Compliance refers to changing behavior in response to a direct request, typically without the element of social pressure that comes with conformity.


In conclusion, seeing the majority of people engaging in an activity prompted Michael to conform by joining them, showcasing the concept of conformity in social behavior.

Answered by ElijahBenjaminCarter | 2025-07-21