Conformity, to begin with, is a term used social-psychology. I first came across it while I was researching for my project in junior college, and since then, it has been a topic of interest.
The word is used in everyday jargon almost inconspicuously, people often substituting it for the erstwhile commonplace term '
copying'. However, conformity is much more than blatant copying; that is what you do in exams, especially when the supervisor's not paying attention, and when
your knowledge is absolutely zero. The best part about conformity, I must say, is that even in situations of blatant copying (such as the one mentioned above), there is conformity at play.
To fully understand the finer nuances of conformity, I have participated in some covert social experiments, of which my peers weren't aware of. Well, actually, until before writing this essay, even
I wasn't aware of it. But then, that is precisely the wonder of conformity...!
Experiment One: "The Chinese Food Syndrome"
Once a friend pointed out to me, that a large number of people were buying food from the Chinese counter in the canteen. Well, he made this observation after he saw a plate of fried rice in my hand. So what is it that influences, very subtly, the choices of hungry students?
The answer is two fold.
Firstly, Chinese food tastes awesome at any time of the day, particularly in the morning when it's hot and fresh and the you get a chance to choose the best lollypops. And;
Secondly, which is a more scientific explanation, is that it's worth the 30 bucks you pay. Wait, that's not scientific, it's more economics...anyway. There is a sense of conformity as people want to stick to the tried and tested formulas (in this case, recipes), and also, they wish to try out the new dishes that the Chinese counter has to offer. Momos (which were a total failure), spring-rolls, prawns etc, there's always something new apart form the tried and tested. This is a perfect example of the normative ie in case of tried and tested stuff, as well as the informational ie in case of the new stuff everyone seems to be trying out.
Experiment Two: "The Chicken & Cheese Frankie Syndrome"
Situated right next to the Chinese counter is the Frankie counter. Well, Tibbs Frankies are still among the best I've had, but these ones come really close, with special credit to the Xavier's Press' article on the Chicken & Cheese frankie.
An article in the newsletter was a survey about the most popular food in the canteen. And the verdict clearly favoured the awesomely delicious frankie. Well, we all know how surveys are conducted, but in this case, the credibility (of the frankie,
not the survey) was beyond questioning. And so, naturally, people flocked to the counter to fill their stomachs with the '
supposedly' (but, I do agree to it 99.5%) most popular item in the college canteen. So much so that, I'm thinking of telling the Tibbs kiosk at VT to introduce the 'chicken & cheese frankie'. (What? I get hungry on my way back home!)
It has been very difficult for me to fully understand the finer aspects of this experiment. And as it is with all rules, even this one has exceptions. That I shall deal with in the next part.
Until then, do try out the chicken & cheese frankie; and if you're vegetarian, there's always the Chinese counter, and maybe, they'll introduce something vegetarian in the next couple of days...!
