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Explain Why Conformity and Obedience Are Important in the Public Services, with Reference to Research Studies

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M3. Explain why conformity and obedience are important in the public services, with reference to research studies.

Conformity and obedience are forms of social influence which strongly affect our behaviour is social situations, from following fashions and unwritten social norms which organise our behaviour, to committing immoral acts because we are commanded to by someone who appears to be in a position of authority. This essay looks at the similarities and differences between the three, looking specifically at the factors that influence each two.

Conformity within a group entails members changing their attitudes and beliefs in order to match those of others within the group. Those that conform tend to be obedient and compliant. In order to conform, the group member must attribute someone as having the legitimacy and credibility to lead or influence the group's behaviour. Without this "leader", conformity toward the group's goals will be less prevalent. If a member of the group fails to conform to the groups needs, he/she would lose credibility with the rest of the group. Conformity is a change in an individuals behaviour according to certain accepted standards within society as well as the influence of others whether this be a real or imaginary influence. There are 2 key concepts of conformity, acceptance or compliance.

People plan to join a specific public service because they want to belong to that team because they may like the sentiments of the service etc. Hence when they are hired by the service, they will want to feel like they belong, this is one of the main concepts of conformity. The public services conform by unspoken rules for example. All males in the police force have short hair or all women in the police force have their hair tied back. This is not a legal requirement to employees of the service yet most employees abide by these unspoken

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