Conformity vs. Groupthink — What's the Difference?

Conformity is characterized by individuals adapting their behaviors, beliefs, or attitudes to align with those of a larger group, often influenced by perceived social norms or the desire for acceptance. Whereas groupthink describes a situation where the cohesion and desire for unanimity in a group lead to poor decision-making processes, as members suppress dissenting opinions and critical thinking to maintain harmony.

Conformity can occur in any group setting as individuals often feel pressured to fit in, which can influence their choices and actions. On the other hand, groupthink is specifically a dynamic that tends to occur in more tightly-knit groups where the stakes of group unity are perceived as high, often resulting in irrational or dysfunctional decision-making outcomes.

While conformity might not always negatively impact decision-making and can sometimes lead to positive outcomes by fostering order and predictability, groupthink is generally viewed negatively because it involves compromising one's own judgment for the sake of consensus. This can lead to suboptimal decisions that might not be in the best interest of the group or its goals.

The mechanisms driving conformity include both normative influence (desire to fit in) and informational influence (desire to be correct), whereas groupthink primarily arises from a strong conformity pressure within a cohesive group, often exacerbated by isolation from outside opinions.

In terms of outcomes, conformity can lead to uniformity that supports societal or organizational function, while the outcomes of groupthink are often flawed or irrational decisions that can result in inefficiency or disaster, highlighting the potential dangers of overly cohesive group dynamics.