How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Theories about conforming

Explanations > Theories > Theories about conforming

Here are academic theories about how we seek to conform with others.

Acquiescence Effect: We answer more in the positive than negative.
Bystander Effect: the more bystanders, the less likely it is one will help.
Consistency Theory: we seek the comfort of internal alignment.
Commitment: we feel obliged to complete a public commitment.
Communication Accommodation Theory: we morph to be like others.
Epistemological Weighting Hypothesis: conformance depends on how closely our norms match group norms.
Group Locomotion Hypothesis: members are motivated to achieve group goals.
Groupthink: maintenance of group cohesion becomes all-important.
Impression Management: we behave well when we are being watched.
Informational Social Influence: when we don't know what to do, we copy others.
Just-world phenomenon: Good and bad will be rewarded and punished.
Normative Social Influence: basic group need forces us to conform.
Placebo Effect: We believe and respond to fakes.
Pluralistic Ignorance: sometimes most people disagree with a group norm, but nobody speaks out.
Politeness Theory: we act politely or rudely depending on whether we care.
Reciprocity Norm: we need to return another's favor.
Roles: we conform with shared expectations of behavior.
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: acting how we are treated.
Self-Monitoring Behavior: we are affected by how others see us.
Social Desirability Bias: we follow social rules when we are watched.
Social Impact Theory: how we behave depends on how many, etc. are watching.
Social Influence: How we are strongly influenced by others.
Social Learning Theory: we learn much by watching others, thinking, then trying it out.
Social Norms: groups have rules that must be followed.
Spiral of Silence Theory: we keep quiet if we are in the minority (and vice versa).
Stockholm Syndrome: becoming attached to captors.
Symbolic Convergence Theory: Seeking communities of agreement.

Theories about conforming

See also