To think we're all socially conditioned

[justaquerie]

Sometimes I feel as though the whole world has been hypnotised to comply with social norms and programmed to perform in a way that complies with their strict social conditioning and somehow when this happened I didn't get put under and am watching people bending over backwards to show how they are conforming and doing everything right as they are terrified of any judgement while looking for mistakes others make and highlighting them to the world so they can be shamed.

I completely expect to be told it's just me and that I must be some kind of rebel because it's weird to question it.

But as the OP has not come back to clarify her somewhat gnomic statement, we don't know whether she is talking about wearing a mask on public transport, refraining from murder, or some of the (to me) bizarre self-imposed rituals so many Mumsnetters seem to assume are universal, like replying to text messages within a certain timeframe, pr engaging in competitive self-deprecation.

I may have missed the point, my answer is based on social acceptance/ popularity not laws of the land
ie woman SHOULD shave their legs or that IS disgusting so every woman feels to be accepted they MUST shave their legs or be utterly humiliated or talked about but why should men bother etc

It's fine to apply some critical thought to social conditioning and not abide by all expectations placed on you.

If you feel like the only one thinking this and you disregard every scocietal norm then you might be a psychopath.

Duh, that's why they're social norms... because we've been socialised to want them. Problem is, as it has always been, some norms are oppositional to certain personalities.

Hence, witch trials and the like

I mean I wouldn't say people are bending over backwards to comply just that the majority are happy to live a normal lifestyle - it matches their mindset and personality. Not a bad thing. We can't all be different.

But from caveman times, our brains are hard wired not to risk exclusion from the group else, we will die.

@CorianderLord
Duh, that's why they're social norms

you prove my previous point exactly, no doubt you will come back to mock my intelligence as well now, that seems to be the knee jerk reaction when someone disagrees.

Interesting first post, OP.

Will you be coming back to the thread, or have you got enough information for your article now?

I suspect you're referring to restrictions in place due to corona virus?

If you've refused to comply with safety measures to protect others and yourself, you're not a rebel. There would be a different word to describe you.

I would advise a break from online conspiracy theories and easing up on the waccy baccy.

I totally agree.

I watched a very interesting experiment on video while studying sociology.

Man dresses similar to policeman - black clothes, yellow high viz jacket (no police related markings though).

He stands on a busy side walk and stops random pedestrians to stomp their feet on a cracked paving stone (to fix it).

Everyone complies because they are socially conditioned to adhere to authoritative looking figures. There are loads more clips like it which shows the lengths people will go to to follow bizarre instructions because they are told to without questioning why.

@My0My

Covid has shown this up 100%. It’s clear most will do as they are told. No questions asked. They report others who they see as bending the rules. They enjoy doing it I suspect. It leads to fear and the separation of society. Not good as nations in the past have discovered.

Totally disagree! Just came back from the supermarkets and all social distancing is out the window, people ignoring the arrows on the floor, standing right next to me as in a foot away, ignoring The request to wear a mask. I think Covid has shown many people up that they WONT do what is asked of them when required, even if it is to protect their own or another’s life

This statement is like saying the sky is blue. Of course social conditioning exists.

I think many people feel alone in being free thinkers or a rebel but in reality they are like many others.

An awful lot of social conditioning happens in school. It's all happened right before your eyes, OP.

There are consequences if social norms aren't followed. You might not be included in a friendship circles, or you might be arrested. People weigh up the risks of not conforming, so at the beging of lockdown people stayed at home because they were scared of becoming ill. Now they don't follow the one way system in supermarkets because they don't think they will get ill and there is no one way supermarket police to fine them.

I completely expect to be told it's just me and that I must be some kind of rebel because it's weird to question it.

I like the way you're bravely preparing yourself to be told what a cool, rebellious free thinker you are. Didn't quite pan out that way, did it?

Allow me to summarise:

1. If you're referring purely to lockdown rules, then these are sadly necessary to prevent widespread loss of life and the NHS being overwhelmed. You're not a rebel; you're an arrogant tit and you need to get over yourself.

1. If you mean that you feel completely isolated and alienated from everyone else, to the extent that you're unable to form meaningful, fulfilling relationships with others, you may have some form of disorder (depression included). Consider a chat with your GP.

1. If you are able to form meaningful, fulfilling relationships with others, but have somehow decided that you're the only one with a complex inner life, with conflicts, self-doubt and the capacity for critical thought, you're wrong. You're not a rebel; you're an arrogant tit and you need to get over yourself.

@JesusInTheCabbageVan top notch post and an excellent summary

Everyone thinks they’re a “rebel” who can see through the brainwashing the sheeples embrace.

@Thewindofmysoul Thank you!

@GroggyLegs

Do you mean social conditioning, or critical thought OP?

Social conditioning is necessary to avoid mayhem.

Critical thought is looking beyond what you're being told to do or think, to why that's the case and draw an independent (and hopefully informed) conclusion.

The latter is in short supply.

Great post.

OP, you're 100% right. This is why regimes such as Nazi Germany or the awful inhumane communists system in former Eastern Germany operated. As humans we are genetically programmed (some more than others) to fit in and follow social rules. Totalitarian regimes pervert this to their own advantage.

It's also my experience that most people's thinking only goes skin deep. It takes a lot of education and being prepared to be the awkward outsider to break the sheep habit.

@justaquerie

Sometimes I feel as though the whole world has been hypnotised to comply with social norms and programmed to perform in a way that complies with their strict social conditioning and somehow when this happened I didn't get put under and am watching people bending over backwards to show how they are conforming and doing everything right as they are terrified of any judgement while looking for mistakes others make and highlighting them to the world so they can be shamed.

I completely expect to be told it's just me and that I must be some kind of rebel because it's weird to question it.

I think you need to define how unconventional you are.

Did you sleep all the way through school?

Well, the OP seemingly slept all the way through the ‘basic punctuation’ lesson, so ... 🤷‍♀️

Oh. The OP still hasn't been back yet then?

@blurpityblurp

Everyone thinks they’re a “rebel” who can see through the brainwashing the sheeples embrace.

Funny how they all end up thinking the same thing though, eh?

Well I suppose starting a vague thread and then wandering off without engaging is quite unconventional.