Psychology

Individuals do behave in different ways as the situation dictates. Human behavior is usually influenced by many factors some of which are hereditary whereas others are to be found in the social environment of the respective individuals. Social psychology focuses on factors that influence human behavior and are found in the social environment. Obedience and conformity are examples of such issues which influence behavioral pattern amongst individuals.

Several reasons have been advanced as to why many individuals act in the manner that they do. Some argue that their behavior is guided by the way they were raised up whereas for others, it is all to do with hereditary factors. Combining the two seems to be providing a sound explanation to human behavior. A maturing individual is usually faced with a decision to either comply with or contravene the societal norms and values particularly upon reaching the adolescent stage. The main question remains to understand what drives an individual into conforming to the set societal ethical values and norms as dictated by the society. Conformity means that the individual will act along the established societal values and norms so as to be accepted as a member of the particular society or group. There are various groups characterized with unique norms and values acceptable within the respective groups andor societies. This paper will analyze the influence on behavior of two kinds of social factors which include conformity and obedience.

Comparison between Obedience and Conformity
Obedience can be described as acting in a manner that has been influenced by a request from an authority figure. Obedience therefore involves acting in compliance with a direct order from another individual with a much higher authority. More often than not, people will obey commands from authoritative figures. Obedience is however a less prevalent type of behavior and this can be attributed to the fact that those with authority usually selects a means to influence their subjects as opposed to direct commands or requests. It can be argued that obedience is practiced by individuals so as to avoid the associated unpleasant consequences as penalty for disobeying the authority (Ferguson, 2004).
There are several aspects that are related to obedience and they include authority figure, proximity of the victim, personal responsibility, and escalation of harm. The reputation of the authority figure together with the presence of the figure will definitely have an impact on the level of obedience being expressed. Higher prestige associated with the authority figure will result in high obedience from the subjects similarly, the mere presence of an authority figure would increase the level of obedience. In some instances however, powerful authoritative figures have the ability to influence high obedience levels even in their absence. There is growing evidence that an individual stands a very high chance of obeying an order that is capable of producing harm when the individual is separated from the potential victim. Milgram demonstrated this in his experiments as he found out that there was a drop to 40 full obedience when he placed both the participant and confederate in the same room and had a drop to 30 full obedience when the participant had to physically place the confederates hand on a metal shock plate (Department of Psychology, Frosturg State University, 2010, para 8).

In regards to personal responsibility, when an individual shoulders the responsibility for any misdeed that arises from the act of obeying, then the obedience level seems to fall. This was also demonstrated by the Milgram experiments. The study also showed that with gradual escalation of the harm, there is a high likelihood that more conformity would be achieved. This means that an individual who has already started the process finds it difficult to discontinue and therefore continues to obey (Department of Psychology, Frosturg State University, 2010).

Conformity on the other hand is described as the tendency to alter an individuals behavior based on the indirect societal pressures as presented in the norms and values of a particular group. It can also be described as an influence on the perception, opinion, andor behavior of an individual in a manner consistent with the groups norms (Brehm, Kassin  Fein, 1999). Conformity is associated with several factors which includes informational influence, normative influence, magnitude of the group, consciousness of the norms, presence of a friend, differences in age, gender differences and cultural influences (Department of Psychology, Frosturg State University, 2010).

Informational influences occur when an individual conforms and holds the belief that the others are righteous in their judgments. Normative influence occurs when individuals conforms due to the fact that they fear the unpleasant impacts resulting from acting to the contrary. In regards to the group size, it has been established that as the group numbers grow, so does the level of conformity. However, upon the size of the group reaching 4-5, very little alterations are recorded in conformity levels. The consciousness of the group norms also contributes to conformity in the sense that the knowledge of the norms increases the likelihood that an individual would conform (Department of Psychology Frosturg State University, 2010).

The presence of a friend who is against the trend being taken by others would impact on the conformity of the group. The significance of an ally is considerable as indicated by the study carried out by Asch in 1951 where he noted that the existence of a single colleague who does not share in the course of the majority could reduce conformity levels significantly. Age also plays a significant role in conformity levels. There is a general observation that adolescents are most likely to conform to group peers than any other age group. Gender differences may also play a role in the definition of conformity levels. Though there is no enough evidence to back this notion, increasing evidence has continued to point to the possibility of gender influence on conformity. Culture is central to an individuals social life. There is no doubt that culture plays a leading role in conformity of an individual (Department of Psychology, Frosturg State University, 2010).

Stanley Milgrams Studies
Stanley Milgram set out to conduct a series of research activities in mid 20th century on several topics touching on social psychology. There were close to 1000 participants in these experiments in New Haven, Connecticut. The studies required the teachers to read a list consisting of paired words. In return, the teacher would ask the learners for the second word after revealing the first one. The learners were expected to choose the answers from a list of four words that were given by the teachers. In case a wrong response was given, the teacher would present the learner who gave the wrong answer to electric shocks. The intensity of the electric shocks kept increasing gradually as the study progressed and more wrong answers given. The teachers were committed to the experiments carrying out the instructions to the latter but the learners were not happy with the trend and started complaining. The teachers were well aware that the exercise was unethical but they continued to obey the instructions of the study despite the cognitive dissonance they underwent (Caban, 2007).

Group Influence on Decrease in Drug Use
There is no doubt that groups have a great part to play in determining an individuals behavior. The reference group theory asserts that an individual evaluates himself or herself depending on his or her position in relation to others in a particular group. It is therefore imperative to observe that a group which holds particular norms and values will impact on the behaviors of individual members who conform to the group. The member who does not conform to the groups beliefs would be seen as outsiders and thus not welcomed. Anybody willing to join the group therefore will have to leave his or her old ways of life and adopt the new values of the group. The case at hand is exemplified by how large and cohesive groups have been able to effectively diminish the use of drugs amongst their members.

The focus was on two religious sects with information having been gotten from administration of questionnaires and carried out in a controlled environment. One of the groups in focus was the Devine Light Mission (DLM) and the other was the Unification Church (UC) considered as counter-cultures in the United States. In this study, members of the DLM reported that they were using drugs at a much higher level before they joined the group. Upon joining the group, there was a significant reduction in drug use with the reported decline in drug use having been maintained for an average period of over two years. The Unification Church (UC) members exhibited similar trends in relation to drug use with the only difference being that members of the UC had lower levels of drug use before joining the sect as compared to those in DLM. This reflects on the strict position taken on illegal intoxications within the UC as opposed to a much tolerable stance of DLM (Galanter, et al. 1980).

The authenticity of the study is unquestionable as the data from the individuals who were registered to join the UC in particular was in agreement with information gotten from the older members of the sect. Changes in the use of sedatives were also for consideration with data on caffeine reflecting little commitment in controlling the consumption of this agent. Nevertheless, the general decline in drug consumption was undertaken by individual members of these groups so as to feel socially cohesive with other members of the group. The results of this study show that behavioral norms in a given cultural group that is closely knit will have an impact on the behaviors of the members. Thus for individuals to be accepted in a particular group, they have to conform to the norms and values held by the respective groups. Close-knit subcultures are known for strictness in their beliefs and values hence play a leading role in shaping the behaviors of members (Galanter, et al. 1980).

Differential Association Theory
This theory was propounded by Edwin H. Sutherland and examines the criminal behavior as a learned behavior just like any other. This theoretical framework can help us in the analysis of how an individual andor societal influence can lead to deviance from the dominant group norms. According to Sutherland, criminal behavior is developed as a result of socialization due to lack of reprimand to such acts by the society. To Sutherland, social deviations are to be explained in a similar manner as to societal norms. With this, he meant that deviant behavior is learned through social interactions and observation just like social norms. The social differentiation theorem explains that social deviance is propagated in the society by the fact that individuals who associates more with the group that favors deviant behavior is most likely to behave in a defiant manner.

It is therefore logical to argue that deviant behavior is learned and thus an individual who associates with the deviant group in the society is going to be influenced by this group. The primary social unit in the society is the family and therefore socialization starts here. It is within the family that an individual would learn about the societal norms and values. It should be noted that learning of deviant behavior takes place within the primary groupings which include family, friends, and peers (Sutherland, 1974).

Conclusion
Obedience and conformity are ways in which social influences are made specifically in regards to human behavior. The two concepts however act in ways different from one another. Conformity does happen as a response to societal norms which are pervasive and powerful instruments in the society. Conformity behavior therefore has some restrictions towards individual freedom. The behavior resulting from conformity indicates that the individual is not in contravention with the societal requirements. Obedience on the other hand involves some aspect of authority and that individuals do obey upon receiving commands from higher authority. With obedience therefore individuals do not act out of their own free will. Though conformity is not also out of own free will, there is much freedom involved compared to obedience. Influence on human behavior can emanate from different sources and the two discussed above are just but examples.