Page 328 - Fundamentals of Management Myths Debunked (2017)_Flat

2 b Conformity

Adjusting one’s behavior to align with a group’s norms

• We all want to be accepted by groups to which we belong, 35%

which makes us susceptible to conformity pressures.

• See the From Past to Present box (p. 330) for more informa- of participants
tion on solomon asch’s classic studies on conformity. 5 in Asch’s study
would conform to
group behavior or
“follow the pack.”

3 status systems Kjpargeter/Shutterstock

A prestige grading, position, or rank within a group and an

important factor in understanding behavior

• Human groupings have always had status hierarchies.

• A disparity between what individuals perceive their status to be and what
others perceive it to be is a significant motivator with behavioral

consequences.

• Anything can have status value if others in the group
admire it.

• Group members have no problem placing people

into status categories, and they usually agree
about who’s high, low, and in the middle.

• It’s important for people to believe there’s

congruency (equity between perceived
ranking of an individual and the status

symbols he or she has) in an organization’s
Vbar/Shutterstock
status system to prevent disruptions to general “this

is what I expect.” conformity status
Adjusting one’s behavior to align with a group’s norms A prestige grading, position, or rank within a group
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