Conformity in a New Light

By Ruffin S. Dogg

For decades, social psychologists have studied and attempted to understand social pressure, how people respond to social pressure, and why the effects of the situation are so strong. Recently, however, behavioral scientists have expanded the range of their investigations from human subjects to our best friend, the dog.

Long considered to be the ideal image of the loyal friend, yet still maintaining a reputation as a rugged individualist, the dog has rarely been the subject of psychological inquiry (but see Pavlov, 1928; Seligman & Maier, 1967). However, recent research in the laboratory of C. Truxillo has focused on a single, small colony of dogs. Dr. Truxillo’s research suggests that conformity may not be a uniquely primate behavior. "We have observed these animals, and have found indisputable evidence of conformity. While data are still being collected, we already know quite a bit about the conforming behavior among these dogs."

I visited Dr. Truxillo’s canine lab, so see whether the animals lived up to their conforming reputation. Indeed, it appears that the animals really do exert a great deal of pressure on one another to conform, or behave in the same way as each other.

In a series of observations, the dogs were seen mimicking the behaviors of one another, confirming Dr. Truxillo’s claims. Even in their natural habitat, the pressure to conform is remarkable. I asked Dr. Truxillo whether she knew why the dogs were conforming. "Well, it seems to be a response to normative influence. The dogs don’t really think that the others are privy to important information that leads to their behavior, but they are concerned about being ostracized or embarrassed. Therefore, I think that the dogs are primarily exhibiting public conformity, since their beliefs about the behaviors do not appear to have changed as a result of the conformity pressure."

In nearly everything the dogs do, a very specific set of rules, or "norms," seems to guide behavior. Even aggression is carefully dictated by a stringent set of guidelines.

In the presence of conforming humans, the dogs follow their own species-defined set of norms, and not the human norms.

Even facial expressions are guided by these species-specific norms.

I asked Dr. Truxillo whether she had ever observed the consequences of "deviance," or refusing to submit to conformity pressure. "Oh, yes. I have. On occasion, one dog will try to lash out and be unlike the others."

"Such behavior is typically met with quite negative social consequences." \

Well, this reporter is convinced. Conformity does appear to extend to animals outside the primate world. After this experience, one is left wondering: "Whom will the dogs apply normative pressure to next?"