At the time that sociology emerged as an academic discipline, the societies of the West were in the throes of change. What intrigued scholars was the remarkable continuity of basic social structures in the midst of change. Disintegrative tendencies were viewed as aberrations as they were brought back to normality by institutions of social control. Inspired by biological researches into the process of ‘homeostasis’,2 sociologists (who treated societies as ‘organic unities’) tried to understand the phenomenon of equilibrium in human societies. In these exercises, they held the view that societies cannot remain in a continuous situation of flux, and that they have inner mechanisms to restore normality.
Factors Promoting Conformity
Conformity in human behaviour is ensured through several mechanisms. We had discussed the process of socialization, through which a newborn is inducted into society, and socialized and enculturated into it. A person learns to curb his biological instincts and take cognizance of others in the social system with whom s/he interacts. Similarly, certain role-conflicts are avoided through insulatory mechanisms, which do not allow competing members of the role-set to observe a person’s behaviour. The performance of a teacher in the classroom, for example, is insulated from observation by fellow colleagues, and thus the chances of their criticizing the performance in the classroom are lessened.
Hierarchy is another device through which conflicts are avoided. Certain norms may be violated by people in the upper echelons, but they are not contested by people ranked below as they are insulated from observation. Sometimes they might be visible, but then are overlooked for unstated considerations. For instance, a VIP may be allowed to jump a queue with no protests from those standing in line.
More important is the mechanism of social control. A system of rewards and punishments—the gratification-deprivation mechanism—induces people to follow norms. Conformity is greatly ensured when members of a group share a common ideology. It is the inner urge of a religious person that discourages him/her from any deviation. It acts as a cultural pull. A vegetarian will not eat a non-vegetarian dish even when no one is around to observe and report such a deviation; it is the inner impulse that prevents a person. By the same token, a person violates a norm when his identity remains hidden, that is, when the person feels secure and sure of not getting caught. Anonymity is one of the reasons why prostitution flourishes in urban settings; here, too, it is the transient population that forms the bulk of both the clients and the sex workers.
People also tend to conform to norms because of their vested interests. A subordinate obeys his superiors because he wants to be in the good books of the powers that be, and this leads to conformity. However, it must be noted that such conformity is not maintained only for the purposes of getting a promotion or small favours. On occasions it is guided by the perception of harm that a superior can inflict upon the subordinates. When the Superintendent of railways visits railway stations, elaborate preparations are made to receive him, including the cleaning of the premises. But such visits do not always result in any rewards for employees working at that venue; however, they take extra care to perform well to forestall any adverse remarks or spare themselves punishment—a fine, a temporary halt to promotion or salary raise, or even a transfer to a difficult duty station. Many college students refuse to participate in strikes for fear of being penalized by teachers. In the Indian setting, it has been observed that in a multi-faculty college, it is the students of the Arts faculty who indulge more in campus politics compared to the science students. One explanation offered for such behaviour is that science students are relatively surer of their future; and in examinations, the class teacher plays a major role, particularly in practicals, where the teacher can influence the grades in league with the external examiner. It is thus vested interest that generates resistance to change—or prevents a challenge to the status quo. While the concept of stability is a defining characteristic of structure, it hints at the process of equilibrium.
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