conformism
UK[kənˈfɔːmɪzəm]US[kənˈfɔːrmɪzəm]
n
The tendency or practice of behaving or thinking like most other people in a society or group, and not doing or saying anything unusual.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
form
ism
con
together
form
shape
ism
doctrine
Etymology
The word 'conformism' is built on the Latin verb 'conformare', meaning "to shape together, to fashion". This verb itself combines the prefix 'con-' (together) with 'formare' (to shape, from 'forma', shape). The core idea is of bringing something into the same shape as another. The noun 'conformism' adds the suffix '-ism', which denotes a distinctive practice, system, or philosophy. Thus, the etymological logic traces a path from the literal act of shaping objects to a common mold, to the abstract social behavior of shaping one's actions and beliefs to match those of a prevailing group or standard.
Analysis
Structure: con (together) + form (shape) + ism (doctrine)
- con: A prefix of Latin origin (from 'cum'), meaning "together, with".
- form: A root of Latin origin (from 'forma'), meaning "shape, mold, appearance".
- ism: A suffix of Greek origin (via Latin and French), forming nouns denoting a system, principle, or ideological movement.
Examples
The corporate culture encouraged a stifling conformism that discouraged innovative ideas.
His rebellious art was a direct reaction against the social conformism of the 1950s.
The study examined the psychological roots of conformism in adolescent peer groups.