Alex thinks smoking is addictive but other players on his hockey team insist that it's not. Alex is likely to conform to their opinion if

A) he has publicly voiced his opinion on this issue.
B) there is obvious disagreement among team players regarding the issue.
C) he feels insecure in his role as a new member of the team.
D) there are very few team members whom he currently wants to befriend.

Question

Deanna Baronville · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : C, Explanation :  Social conformity tends to be greater when individuals feel insecure in their role or position within a group. In this scenario, if Alex is a new member of the team and feels uncertain about his standing among the other players, he may be more likely to conform to their opinions about smoking. A lack of strong personal ties with team members (choice D) may also decrease conformity pressure, but it is less likely to have an impact than feelings of insecurity. Choices A and B may actually increase conformity pressure, as expressing a strong opinion or facing disagreement can make an individual feel like they need to conform to the group in order to maintain social harmony.

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