Acting in accordance with norms and social expectations is called?

• A. Informal social control
• B. Ostracism
• C. Social conformity
• D. Hidden curriculum

Answer: (C)

Conformity is acting in line with the norms and expectations of a group. When people adjust what they do to fit what others consider appropriate, they are conforming. This happens because of social influence: wanting to belong and be accepted (normative influence) or believing others are right (informational influence).

Other terms describe different ideas. Informal social control refers to the everyday ways people encourage norm-following, such as praise or ridicule, rather than the behavior itself. Ostracism is the punishment of exclusion used to enforce norms. The hidden curriculum covers the implicit lessons about values and norms learned in schooling, not the act of conforming itself.