Debunking Popular Psychology Myths: Why Conformity Is Rational

We revisit the famous conformity studies from Solomon Asch and explain that most people have learned the wrong lessons about conformity

In a classic moment of comedy history, the TV show Candid Camera had actors reveal the human tendency for conformity. You can see unsuspecting participants enter an elevator and quickly conform to a new set of rules—like facing the back or turn from side to side—as they observe the actions of others. It reveals, to great comic effect, the absurd degrees to we will mimic complete strangers.