Acquiescence and Conventionality in a Communal Society

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Abstract
An attempt is made to test the hypothesis that the conventional behavior of individuals reared in "folk" societies is attributable to their tendency to acquiesce willingly to the expectations of the group. Utilizing a modified Crutchfield-type group pressure technique, children reared in the conventional, and structurally "tight," Hutterite communities are compared to a group of children from the host society. A sample of Old Colony Mennonite subjects, representing a conventional but "looser" society is also tested to assess the effect of social tightness/looseness on conformity. The findings indicate that Hutterites are only marginally more acquiescent than "worldly" subjects, whereas Mennonites score significantly higher. An alternative explanation of Hutterite conventionality is therefore suggested which reduces lack of deviance to lack of individual autonomy and the opportunity to be different.

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