Conformity is best described as the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms.

• A. Conformity is the act of adjusting only attitudes, not beliefs or behaviors, to align with group norms.
• B. Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms.
• C. Conformity refers to obeying explicit commands from authorities.
• D. Conformity involves rejection of all social norms.

Answer: (B)

Conformity involves aligning both internal beliefs and outward behaviors to the expectations or norms of a group. When people conform, they may adjust attitudes, beliefs, and actions to fit what others in the group consider typical. This definition captures that conformity can involve private acceptance as well as public compliance, driven by normative influence (the desire to be accepted) and informational influence (the belief that the group is correct). A classic illustration is the tendency to adopt the majority’s judgments in group settings, even when privately doubtful. The other descriptions miss important parts: limiting conformity to changing only attitudes ignores shifts in beliefs and actions; obedience is following explicit orders from an authority rather than conforming to general group norms; rejecting social norms is the opposite of conformity.