Insights On Conformity + Not Being Yourself #6

Fellow Non-Conformist (or aspiring Non-Conformist) 👋🏾

Here are this week’s resources, with which I hope to encourage you to continue resisting mindless conformity, or to motivate you to stop conforming mindlessly:

(Click on the book title to buy or read a sample of the book.)

The Social Animal by Elliot Aronson

The Social Animal is a comprehensive exploration of social psychology, delving into the complexities of human behaviour and the impact of social influences. The book examines how our interactions with others shape our attitudes, beliefs, and actions. Aronson emphasises the importance of understanding the social context in which we operate, shedding light on conformity, group dynamics, prejudice, and attraction.

Through engaging storytelling and real-life examples, Aronson presents psychological theories and experiments to illustrate how social factors significantly influence individual decision-making. He also addresses cognitive dissonance and self-justification, offering insights into how people rationalise their actions to maintain a positive self-image.

Overall, The Social Animal offers readers a profound insight into the interplay of psychology and society, demonstrating how human behaviour is intricately linked to the social world we inhabit. It encourages readers to critically examine their own behaviours and better understand the dynamics that govern interpersonal relationships.

A longer summary of the book, 5 quotes, 5 key takeaways, and 5 actionable tips, which I expanded on, are in the latest issue of The Individual™