What is normative conformity?

Normative conformity refers to the tendency of individuals to conform to the beliefs, behaviors, or expectations of a group in order to gain acceptance or approval from that group. This type of conformity is driven by social pressures and the desire to fit in, rather than an individual's own beliefs or logical assessments.

When individuals engage in normative conformity, they may not truly agree with the group's opinions or actions; instead, they go along with them to avoid social disapproval or exclusion. This explains why option B is the correct choice, as it directly addresses the motivation behind normative conformity—the need for group approval and acceptance.

In contrast, the other options focus on different aspects of conformity and decision-making. For example, personal beliefs, logical assessments, and rational analyses are all related to individual thought processes that occur outside the context of social pressure or group dynamics. Normative conformity specifically relates to how social influences can shape behaviors in a group setting.