I perceive group conformity as going along with the crowd to avoid embarrassment or being shunned by that group. Most people on earth want a sense of belonging whether it is in a club or a workplace or even in the family. This video shows many different examples of group conformity. Interestingly it shows that the more people doing something, the more likely it is that the outsider will participate.
In advertising, marketers will use it very bluntly at times to show off how well they are doing. This confused.com advert simply states that 18 million people use the website which begs the question that they are doing something right. The advert has very subtle moments to give someone the feeling of belonging, smiles on all the faces, dancing and of course all holding hands and circling around the fantastic solo singer. Most people just want to get along in life and if 18 million people are doing that, you can't really argue, surely? (a recent poll saw that most people thought this was a dating website, oops!)Personally I think conformity can be negative in everyday life. It stops people from doing something they know they should be doing because of the perception people have of us. For example, if someone is getting tormented or bullied, albeit psychologically not physically, and it is my 'mates' who are doing the bullying. I wouldn't tell them to stop in secondary school because to be a 'cool kid' that is what you have to do. I wouldn't let it happen now but bullying in my school got out of hand and it ruins people lives. This website on short stories explaining why people hate conformity backs my point up that it can be misused.
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