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The allure of conforming to toxic group pressures

The pressure to conform with a group is such a powerful influence on our behaviour that it can easily make us do things that conflict with our values.

Photo credit: Igah | Nation Media Group

By  Chris Hart

Columnist

What you need to know:

  • Young people feel driven to wear the latest fashion, and there’s an unwritten dress code at work.
  • The pressure to conform with a group is such a powerful influence on our behaviour that it can easily make us do things that conflict with our values.
  • It’s amazing how the pressure to conform can lead to some very strange attitudes.

You belong to many different social groups. Your family, classmates, workmates, sports teams and drinking companions, for example.

And they influence you hugely, so you probably feel obliged to behave in different ways depending on the particular group you’re with.

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