Question

Javier has the potential to be an honor student but frustrates his teachers because of his actions. Rather than work to succeed, he tends to "dummy down" to act more like the students with whom he hangs out. He has at times answered questions incorrectly in class, on purpose, in order to be more like his friends. Javier's behavior is an example of:

A. Social Facilitation
B. Social Loafing
C. Conformity
D. Deindividuation

Answer 1

Javier's behavior of changing his answers to fit in with his friends is an example of Conformity, which involves altering one's behaviors to align with group norms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Javier's behavior of deliberately giving incorrect answers to fit in with his group is an example of Conformity. Conformity occurs when an individual changes their behavior, attitudes, or beliefs to align with the norms of a group. This phenomenon is especially prominent when a person wants to be accepted by the group or believes the group is more informed, a concept noted by Asch (1956). Contrary to scenarios such as deindividuation, where anonymity within a group leads to a decreased sense of individual accountability, or social loafing, where individual effort diminishes because others in the group are expected to compensate, conformity is about the intentional adjustment of one's actions to match those of the group.