Why do humans feel compelled to conform to societal norms?
Simple. Fear of non-acceptance. When a person is ostracized from “the crowd” that person feels as though they are not measuring up to their peers. Ergo: Peer pressure without the verbal inuendo. You really need to ask yourself, are you comfortable enough with yourself that you can live “outside the pack” or are you “so needy” that you need that affirmation to feel whole, because then you come to a decision point where you need to decide for instance: “Can I live in a ‘group sustaining subdivision with club benefits and rights” or “Can I live ‘exclusively on my own’ so to speak w/o that affirmation of my peers?” It’s a tough question. Choices can either hinder you in life or free you. It’s up to you.
Your question is a little twisted. Humans do not naturally conform… we prefer to be nonconformist. Criminal activity, especially violent crime, is strictly contrary to social norms. If we were naturally drawn to conform to norms then it would be difficult for criminal activity to exist. However, once a social structure is in place then the members of society are pressured to conform to its traditions. This is because society believes that its survival is fragile and dependent upon the cooperation of its members. When traditions are lost, when a society fails to maintain order, then it ceases to exist.
Good question! Let me answer in this manner: Human law is framed for a number of human beings, the majority of whom are not perfect in virtue. Wherefore human laws do not forbid all vices from which the virtuous abstain, but only the more grievous vices from which it is possible for the majority to abstain; and chiefly those that are to the hurt of others, without the prohibition of which human society could not be maintained; thus human law prohibits murder, theft, and suchlike. The purpose of social norms that are obviously considered as human law is to lead men to virtue, not sudenly, but gradually. Wherefore it doesn;t lay upon the multitude of imperfect men the burdens of those who are already virtuous, viz, that they should abstain from all evil. Otherwise, these imperfect ones, being unable to bear with precepts, would break out into yet great er evils. Thanks for asking. Have a great day!
Humanity like many other species are social animals, so they feel the need to follow (compelled is to stringent a word)societal norms (to a greater or lesser degree) Genuiness of intent is a redundancy. All intentions be they good or evil are “true”. If you are invited to a wedding and don’t want to go (for whatever reason) the fact that you do indeed attend because its your brother’s wedding does not comprise your intent not to go. Therefore social precepts can co-exist with individual intent.
