B2 – Upper Intermediate
Conformity bias refers to our tendency to go along with a group and to be influenced by those around us. It occurs when we model our behavior to fit the behavior of others rather than using our own judgement.
Watch the video to know what conformity bias is and see how it works and be able to answer the questions that follow.
Discussion Questions:
- What is conformity bias? Cite some examples.
- How does conformity affect decision-making?
- What should we do in order to maintain independence in the face of the pressure to conform?
- Share an experience you had about conformity bias.
- What is your opinion on groupthink?
8 replies on “Conformity Bias”
1. What is conformity bias? Cite some examples.
Conformity bias is the tendency to adopt the behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs of a group, even when they may not align with one’s own judgment or values. This happens because individuals feel pressured to fit in and avoid social rejection. Conformity bias can lead people to override their independent thinking in favor of group consensus.
A good example of this phenomenon is a working culture where employees may go along with unethical practices, such as inflating sales or covering up mistakes, just because others in the company do the same.
2.How does conformity affect decision-making?
Conformity can significantly influence decision-making by discouraging independent thought and critical analysis. Some effects include:
Reduced Creativity – People may hesitate to share original ideas if they fear they will be criticized or rejected.
Poor Ethical Decisions – In a corporate setting, conformity can lead to unethical behavior, as seen in scandals like Enron.
Groupthink – This occurs when a group values harmony over critical thinking, leading to irrational or ineffective decisions.
3. What should we do in order to maintain independence in the face of the pressure to conform?
It is possible to maintain independence in serveral ways:
– questioning norms and analyzing whether group opinions are logical and ethical.
– be surronded by diverse thinkers
-practice assertiveness: stanf by your values, even when they are different from the majority.
-seek evidence-based decisions: relay on facts and data rather then on social pressure when making important choices.
-be aware of social influence: if you are able ro recognize when you are being influenced, you can become a more independent thinker.
4.Share an experience you had about conformity bias.
In college, I was part of a project team where everyone agreed to a certain approach for our research without much discussion. I initially had concerns that the method might not be the most effective, but since no one else spoke up, I decided to conform to the group’s decision. Unfortunately, our approach had flaws, and we had to redo parts of our project later. Looking back, I realized I should have voiced my opinion, even if it meant going against the majority.
5.What is your opinion on groupthink?
Groupthink can be dangerous because it discourages critical thinking and can lead to poor decision-making. It creates an illusion of unanimity, where people assume everyone agrees, even if they have private doubts. While group cohesion is important, there must be room for constructive debate and differing opinions. Encouraging diverse perspectives, appointing a “devil’s advocate,” and fostering an open environment for discussion can help prevent groupthink.
Welcome to the Phoneenglish blog! May you continue to use this exercise to enhance your writing skills more and more!
Here is another expression you may use to improve this sentence:
Way to go! Until your next posts!
Discussion Questions:
1. What is conformity bias? Cite some examples.
It’s the pressure of the group, and how it’s affects your decision, opinions and also to your behaviour. Some examples apart of the cases told in the video, are common in life: p.e.: the way we dress according with the trend, what your friends say, etc… not according with your own taste; to follow the rules of some dangerous cults; to drink alcohol or try with drugs when you are young just because the group of your friends ask you to do it, etc
2. How does conformity affect decision-making?
In a very strong way, because sometimes, even if you think something is wrong, just because of the pressure of your peers you can support these ideas, and sometimes some are crucial decisions.
3. What should we do in order to maintain independence in the face of the pressure to conform?
It’s very difficult if you are not mature enough, for example at your teenagers, but I think that maybe can help to express your opinion in a politeness way, but saying finally what you really think…
4. Share an experience you had about conformity bias.
A lot of them, about all, related with the pressure of the friends when we were young, like smoke, drink… this kind of behaviours.
5. What is your opinion on groupthink?
I really don’t like it, its terrible… if you think in the Nazism a lot of people acted in a terrible way just because of the groupthink. It is the same case in the case of the dangerous cults, culture of the gangs, etc.
Impressive efforts you exert in always practicing your writing. Keep it up!
Here is how you can write these sentences and improve them:
Keep writing!
1. It is the “pull effect” we feel when we see the crowd acting in some specific way, and therefore we feel the need to act accordingly in the same way.
2. When all the others are choosing the same options, even we feel that the option is wrong, we feel the pressure to chose that same option, even if it is wrong.
3. Just think by ourselves and act accordingly, there is nothing wrong to go in the opposite direction if we feel it is the right way.
4. I do drink too much, even on parties, and because of that I feel the pressure to drink all my life, because everyone else tend to drink a lot. That way, I feel a bit off when all the people around me is drinking, but I am not.
5. We all feel more brave when we have the support of a group, and that happens a lot.
You are doing a very good job practicing your writing skills.
It would be better if you write this sentence this way:
Keep being consistent in your practice.
What is conformity bias? Cite some examples.
when you follow the group instead of thinking by yourself. You feel afraid of no fitting in.
How does conformity affect decision-making?
It tends to influence not to pick the best decision, if everybody in the group does not feel free to express their own opinions, it will not be a decision taking into account all topics. Therefore, it affects to make poor projects, take poor decision.
What should we do in order to maintain independence in the face of the pressure to conform?
Be brave, there is no other way. you must tackle the situation, express what you think with assertiveness
Share an experience you had about conformity bias.
Politics, I have not expressed my own opinions when I have been with my boss and other workmates, it is true that I did not follow their arguments to search for approval, but i did not confront them with my thoughts.
You did your best in sharing your thoughts on this matter.
Take a look at a better way to express this answer:
Always practice to improve more and more.