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Explain why conformity and obedience are important in the public services, with references to
research studies
In order to explain why conformity and obedience are important in the public services it will be
necessary to explain the benefits each gives to the public services which will explain by its self why
it’s used by the public services
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Conformity can give the public services many benefits by making all individuals act, behave and
operate in an almost identical manner
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This can
make behaviour predictable but this ensures that individuals/groups can be trusted to do the same
thing time and time again
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Conformity allows the separation of rank to become more obvious with each
rank distinguished and individuals belong to different ranks which are effectively different groups
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Conformity will make individuals feel part of a group; it
provides cohesiveness and a sense of security by following norms
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i Whilst individuality will not
disappear it will certainly take a more background presence and the public services become group
orientated, conformity makes this happen then escalates it
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Obedience can also give many benefits to the public services
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Clearly this is an invaluable asset in the behaviour of the
members of the public services and especially the armed forces
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Obedience further increases the effects of discipline
that already exists as well as its benefits
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The only negative to not
here is that blind obedience might occur and individuals no longer question orders which can lead to
wrongs being committed by individuals, if as group there is a real danger
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This isn`t true and there are
distinct differences, which means each has its own benefits, whilst complimenting the other
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This can be very strong and
social studies have shown individuals will yield to peer pressure and choose an option that they
know is wrong because the group appears to think otherwise and they desire to conform
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In
this respect it might be seen that conformity is obedience to group rather than an individual, to
which it is to an extent, but the critical difference is that individuals choose to freely conform, even if
it is subconscious whereas obedience to an individual or orders is forced and an individual is made to
do it regardless of whether they want to
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The reason why individuals conform is in order to be part of a
group, avoiding social isolation and achieving a sense of belonging, or perhaps it’s just to avoid the
embarrassment of being different which is often perceived as bad as it isn`t conforming with a group
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It should be noted that influences exist that make us conform
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This based on the assumption that the way everyone else acts must be right
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A normative social influence (NSI) is when you’re influenced to go with the
crowd, to avoid embarrassment/ridicule or social isolation
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There is also the
minority influence in this to consider
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This holds true in the real world as if the minority always went
with the majority nothing would ever change, instead change is slow but does occur
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So in conclusion the public services need both conformity and obedience in order to function and
compliment other pre-existing parts of the public services
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The influences that exist that control each one can be controlled by
the public services for their own benefits and help create a stronger service as a result
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