Now this blog is about group conformity. This is one of the most prominant human effects that we have on each other in our day to day lives. It can be quite umourous the way that we go to absolute extremes just to conform with each other and to be part of a group.
This is often thought of as something that young people do and we grow out of it however it is not true at all. I have no shame in admitting that I conform to various things in my everyday life including the latest fashions (well I try) the 'in' music even down to what I buy in a supermarket. The other day I was in Sansbury's and as I was picking up a certain brand of washing up liquid she picked up another and said "this ones better" in a stern and 'don't mess with me' kind of voice so did I stick to my guns and get good old fairy... no of course not I conformed and got the cheaper and apparently 'better' Sainsburys own which I have since found out it is not better however I know for a fact that if I were confronted with the same situation again I would buy what I was told and conform. It's Ridiculous isnt it!
In terms of Music I personally hate Dub Step which unfortunately is currently experiancing a renaissance and therefore I have to put up with it. When I was arranging my group event during the meeting with our venue manager when talking about the music playing at the venue when one of the group memebers shouted Dub Step I wanted to cry. That was obviously kept well under wraps though as I sat there smiling and nodding and minding my p's and q's in front of the venue manager until we got outside and I gave dear old Stevie a right talking to! No way jose would I have said anything at all whilst in the meeting and yet again just sat there and conformed. Afterwards it seems stupid but it happens more often that you think.
Sticking with the subject of music Jennifer Lopez has a new song out and again I hate it! Since when has being a talent show judge meant having number 1 hits even if the music is crap.... woops anyway.... moving things along when out and about and as it comes on everyone cheers do I stand there with a face like a slapped backside... Nooo definately not I wave my hands in the air like I just dont care and sing along to the worst lyrics in the world at the top of my lungs. I mean would you honestly go against everyone and look like a weirdo... Thought Not.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsPvRtQIKG0&feature=related
This video shows conformity whilst linking in with groups. Each of us has to fit into a specific group and conform to the rules that are set by that particular group in order to be accepted. As this video shows the character that is narrating believes that the group she belongs to is the best and this is often the case. For example when I see The Only Way Is Essex on the TV whilst I am aware that walking a Micro Pig in a forest on a lead is not normal behaviour the rest of the show isnt exactly 'abnormal' in my opinion anyway whereas everyone and there dog in High Wycombe believes it's ridiculous and if I get greeted with 'oh my god you're from Essex... I'm gonna tell my daughter i've met an Essex boy like that show' once more whilst working I may have to punch them in the face. At this rate they might as well put me in a Museum. This is I guess however due to the fact that I have conformed in some way to how things are done in Essex and therefore to me it's not all crazy. This can be linked to Culture as certain places or areas have cultures that people adhere to.
According to a study performed by Gerard Keegan the main reason that we conform is 'To convey a good impression of him/herself'. This really does ring true as in the supermarket I didnt want an old lady to think I was being horrible by not listening to her.....
So there you have it we conform because we are too nice..... and they say people these days are selfish. I guess it just shows you.
Tuesday 26 April 2011
Friday 1 April 2011
Cultural differences
So, have you ever wondered why you find something funny and the person next to you just doesnt? Well that could be one of two reasons.... Maybe they are simply from a different culture and therefore see things differently and find other things funny. The other explanation would be that they were German. (That was a joke..... oh dear swiftly moving on)
Culture can be defined as many things. Clifford Geertz defines it as simply 'The total way of life of a people'. This can be taken and explained in many real life situations and personally I have experianced different culture in the workplace as I have worked for the high street store Next since 2008. This was in a large store in Essex in a large shopping Centre. Since coming to University I have transferred to the High Wycombe branch and the culture is certainly different. Although it is based in a shopping centre it is nowhere near as busy and therefore the way things are done reflect that. The attitude is far more laid back and staff are well...... lazy. This would simply not be tolerated at the previous store and it did take a while for me to adjust to this new culture and new way of working, I still find myself doing things quicker than other people - and thats not me saying i'm better because i'm not its just the way I have been use to working and therefore the attitude and culture that I have difffers slightly to the other workers.
Men and Women often have different cultures and beliefs. The woman for example believes she's right and the man lets her believe it to get an easy life. I have touched on this previously in my blog about men and women's differences and there has been extensive resarch done on these differences which is extremely interesting.
Culture could also be defined as someones religion and belief system. Different religions believe in different things are have different values. For example certain religions don't eat pork as this is their belief. Certain religions don't believe men and women are equal and if my nan were still around and she knew that I was planning to eat meat on the upcoming good Friday there would be some serious issues! (Sorry Nan) This is all fine though as long as there is an acceptance between these religions and they at least acknowledge and respect other religious views. There is an on-going debate in the UK currently that the different cultures in this country are segregated from one another and it leads to an un-healthy atmosphere in communities or in the workplace. Although there are different cultures these days in communities this has always been an issue as the North of the country often have issues with the South of the country and vice versa. For example when my flatmate who heralds from the dark and mysterious Sunderland first ordered Chips with cheese and Gravy I did not believe my ears. 'That's just ridiculous' I believe were my words... I'd like to tell you her words but I wont go there. In my head that was just wrong however i'm sure that if I go to Sunderland with the Essex accent I pocess i'm sure there will be questions such as 'is everyone like that TV program' which I get on a regular basis anyway thanks to the unfortunately brilliant Only Way Is Essex. In my opinion therefore as long as their is an understanding between different cultures whether it is religious or otherwise I don't see it being a problem in either communities or the workplace.
Culture can be defined as many things. Clifford Geertz defines it as simply 'The total way of life of a people'. This can be taken and explained in many real life situations and personally I have experianced different culture in the workplace as I have worked for the high street store Next since 2008. This was in a large store in Essex in a large shopping Centre. Since coming to University I have transferred to the High Wycombe branch and the culture is certainly different. Although it is based in a shopping centre it is nowhere near as busy and therefore the way things are done reflect that. The attitude is far more laid back and staff are well...... lazy. This would simply not be tolerated at the previous store and it did take a while for me to adjust to this new culture and new way of working, I still find myself doing things quicker than other people - and thats not me saying i'm better because i'm not its just the way I have been use to working and therefore the attitude and culture that I have difffers slightly to the other workers.
Men and Women often have different cultures and beliefs. The woman for example believes she's right and the man lets her believe it to get an easy life. I have touched on this previously in my blog about men and women's differences and there has been extensive resarch done on these differences which is extremely interesting.
Culture could also be defined as someones religion and belief system. Different religions believe in different things are have different values. For example certain religions don't eat pork as this is their belief. Certain religions don't believe men and women are equal and if my nan were still around and she knew that I was planning to eat meat on the upcoming good Friday there would be some serious issues! (Sorry Nan) This is all fine though as long as there is an acceptance between these religions and they at least acknowledge and respect other religious views. There is an on-going debate in the UK currently that the different cultures in this country are segregated from one another and it leads to an un-healthy atmosphere in communities or in the workplace. Although there are different cultures these days in communities this has always been an issue as the North of the country often have issues with the South of the country and vice versa. For example when my flatmate who heralds from the dark and mysterious Sunderland first ordered Chips with cheese and Gravy I did not believe my ears. 'That's just ridiculous' I believe were my words... I'd like to tell you her words but I wont go there. In my head that was just wrong however i'm sure that if I go to Sunderland with the Essex accent I pocess i'm sure there will be questions such as 'is everyone like that TV program' which I get on a regular basis anyway thanks to the unfortunately brilliant Only Way Is Essex. In my opinion therefore as long as their is an understanding between different cultures whether it is religious or otherwise I don't see it being a problem in either communities or the workplace.
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