Impacts of Self-Categorization on Conforming Behaviour

The paper discusses the impact of self-categorization on conforming behavior and resistance to it. The following hypotheses were tested in the research: a) the level of conformity towards in-group members is higher than that towards out-group members; b) one’s perception of oneself as an in-group member increases inner conformity, whereas perceiving oneself as an out-group member increases outer conformity. The outcomes of the research showed that those subjects who identified themselves with the in-group displayed persistent changes in behavior (inner conformity), while the others who identified themselves with the out-group were able to resist the group’s influence and thus displayed less conformity.

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