Conformity and Social Influence - Essay Example

Cults: The dark side of social influence of the of the Demonstration of Conformity Heaven’s Gate members demonstrated conformity by doing what was expected of them by their leader. The important conditions of the cult were to obey the leader and to give up their “possessions, family and entire identity” (Snow, 2003, p.94). Conformity in behavior of the members was visible from the fact that many of them left their jobs, their families and their entire identities in order to be accepted by the Heaven’s Gate (Snow, 2003, p. 94). The members also demonstrated conformity by wearing the uniform of dark colored clothes and shoes (“This day in” para 1).

In this way, by behaving in the way they were expected to behave, the members demonstrated conformity. Characteristics of CulturesConformity is defined as “a form of social influence in which individuals change their attitudes and/or behavior to adhere to a group or social norm” (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 283). The cultures that are more likely to conform to the social norms and behavior are those that follow ‘collectivism’ (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 284). As far as financial status is concerned, it has been found that people belonging to lower-middle-class group are more likely to conform due to lack of independence and need of social support (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 283). Also, the societies and cultures that follow ‘stratified and authoritarian’ social pattern, where children are made to conform to social norms by their authoritative parents, are more likely to display conformity in their behavior (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 284). Demonstration of ObedienceObedience is behavior in which people simply follow the orders in order to conform (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 288). The Heaven’s Gate members demonstrated obedience in a strong manner.

They obeyed every rule, schedule and practice that was set by their leaders, Applewhite and Nettles (Snow, 2003, p.94). They obeyed the rules of not being alone, doing things that were structured for them by the leaders, checking with the leaders every 12 minutes or so, cutting the carrots in certain way, showering for certain time, watching only the permitted television shows and movies etc. (Snow, 2003, p.94). This shows that the rules which were set by the leaders were not only harsh and irrational but also snatched the personal freedom of the members.

However, even then, the rules were followed by the members. This shows that the members of Heaven’s Gate demonstrated obedience in strong way.Social Power of Cult Leader The social power of the cult leader is very high. It is the high power of the influence that makes the leaders successful in making people to believe in any idea or belief that is stated by them. The type of the power displayed by the leaders of Heaven’s Gate was ‘formal power.’ as their cult was defined by laws, rules, regulations, beliefs etc.

, which the members were expected to follow (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 289). Also, their leadership style was authoritarian as they directly communicated their orders to members (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 289). Moreover, the members had no voice of their own as the leader was demanding, authoritative, controlling and expected total conformity to whatever rules were set for the cult (Shiraev & Levy, 2010, p. 288). This shows that leader’s social power was high and authoritative. Social Power of Cult Members The cult members are usually low in social power.

It has been found that people, who are going through low phase in personal and professional life, find a ray of hope in cults (Snow, 2003, p. 128). Professor Margaret Singer, in her book “Cult in our midst,” has stated that people, who are undergoing emotional turmoil or major transitional phase in their life, are extremely vulnerable to external influences and hence, get attracted to cults easily (Snow, 2003, p. 128). Moreover, people who have lost their stability, security and emotional balance, also lose their ability to think rationally if they believe that their solidarity, identity and stability will come back to them if they join the cult (Snow, 2003, p. 128). They suspend all their common sense and get attracted to the cults, which often give them a feeling of being needed, an identity and security (Snow, 2003, p. 128). Hence, people who get attracted to the cults are often low in social power.

ReferencesShiraev, E. & Levy, D.A. (2010). Cross-Cultural psychology: Critical thinking and contemporary applications (4TH ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.Snow, R.L. (2003). Deadly cults: The crimes of true believers. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers. This day in history (n.d.). Mar 25, 1997: Heaven’s Gate cult members found dead. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/heavens-gate-cult-members-found-dead