The Law of Conformity

An example of non-conformity.

Non-conformist goths.

The Law of Comformity states that the more teenagers attempt not to conform to certain stereotypes and shared identities, the more they actually do conform to other stereotypes and identities.

For example: many teenagers become goths in an attempt to stand out as individuals, or else as a means of expressing what they feel is their "true self." However, in adopting the mannerisms, attire and musical tastes of the goth community, teenage goths ultimately end up conforming to a greater degree than they would have if they'd just worn normal clothes and not drawn attention to themselves.

The fact that certain cliques of "nonconformists" are actually highly intolerant of those who do not conform to their nonconformist standards is a phenomenon covered by the Hivemind Corollary.

All in all, the Law of Conformity creates a fresh irony and plenty of lulz for real nonconformists (e.g. people that don't try to be non-conformists.)

See Also

• Mundane
• Milgram Experiment
• Subculture
• The Stanford Prison Experiment
• The Hivemind Corollary

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The Law of Conformity is part of a series on Psychology