Senior Project Advisor
Jennifer Devenport
Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Spring 2024
Keywords
Children, Conformity, Social Norms, Group Identity, Peer Pressure, Anonymity
Abstract
Current studies show that conformity is a social tool used during development to convince children to accept society’s norms and expectations. These social norms are created and maintained through public institutions such as schools and social media platforms which children interact with every day. Through these common experiences, children often adopt social norms and form a group identity to belong in the greater society. As a part of a group, children can often fall victim to peer pressure which can negatively impact their mental health, create risky behaviors, and make it harder to voice opposing opinions. This literature review explores the positive and negative effects of conformity and what society can do to better support children in this modern era. People can assist in creating a supportive environment by providing information on the struggles that children face within institutions which foster conformity.
Department
Psychology
Recommended Citation
Chopot, C J., "Conformity in Our Youth" (2024). WWU Honors College Senior Projects. 856.
https://cedar.wwu.edu/wwu_honors/856
Type
Text
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf