CONFORMITY AND ALIENATION

Alienation Alienation is defined to mean emotional dissociation and isolation and is marked by an inability to follow the rules of society or share in the values in society. Alienation is said to occur because people have difficulty adapting to societal change

Alienation Emile Durkheim Durkheim lived in a society in tremendous state of change (industrial revolution) Used the term “anomie” to describe the condition of industrial workers who seemed to live without any roots or norms

Contemporary Examples Of Alienation Joining of cults or gangs Anarchy/ Extremism - set out to destroy the society which they live through armed struggle Terrorists

Conformity Conformity can be defined as adjusting one's behavior or thinking to match other people. Many reasons why people conform, including the desire to be accepted by others

Conformity Informational Influence- is the human desire to accept information that another admired person tells us is valid Parent or friend tell you that smoking is bad for your health

Conformity Normative Influence- is the pressure to conform to the positive expectations of other. E.g. some people take jobs because they feel like they are expected to.

Alienation And Conformity Forces Of Social Change Alienation can cause positive change Women’s movement was about change because of disatisfaction with social roles

Alienation And Conformity Forces Of Social Change Conformity has a tendency to discourage social change. E.g trying a new hairstyle Nervous about reaction of others stifles desire to change