Running head: SOCIAL CONFORMITY AMONGST TEENAGERS

Social Conformity Among Teenagers

Dayana Salazar
Mr. Stone
RWS 1302

SOCIAL CONFORMITY AMONGST TEENAGERS

Social Conformity Amongst Teenagers

What we are unaware of is that social conformity is known to us unconsciously. We conform
to groups because a fear of being excluded. This has been an interesting phenomenon because
there is confusion with the subject. Many people believe everyone does it when the vast majority
does but not everyone. Since there has been confusion with the topic there are two genres which
explain it very differently. The media has brought it to the mainstream because it explains some
behavior we see every day. Dr. Greg Berns , psychiatrist, and neurosurgeon, gives a Q&A to
abc answering questions several people have about youth conformity. Mina Whorms, a student
who did research under-credited psychologist, gives a speech about teenagers experiencing
conformity.The speech is titled Conformity: are we afraid to stand out? given to a live
audience. Both of the genres explain the same subject but they both have different purposes.
They explain the social conformity with the younger generation in example and the causes and
effects of social conformity.

SOCIAL CONFORMITY AMONGST TEENAGERS

Audience and Purpose

The first genre Conformity: are we afraid to stand out? by Mina Whorms (2015), is
given to a live audience published on May 26, 2015. It was organized to explain social
conformity with young adults in socially active lives. As well as, to raise a question to the
conformity within the discourse groups. The second genre Dr. Greg Berns Answers Viewers'
Questions on Conformity a Q&A with Dr. Berns on January 12, 2016. The psychiatrist answers
questions that abc viewers had about social conformity. The main purpose of this was to
inform and educate people on the definition and different examples it can have.
The intended audience for the first genre Conformity: are we afraid to stand out?
(Whorms), is teenagers, high school students, and psychology enthusiast. The speaker wants to
inspire people who fall into the categories. Mainly, causing them to be the target audience for the
presentation. The audience already has a certain knowledge of conformity. However, the second
genre reaches out to the public which is people or viewers who watch the network abc. The
intended audience is parents, teachers, students, siblings etc. It demonstrates the broad effect it
had on people's interest. The audience did not need to know any knowledge of psychology or
social conformity for the segment. Audience members were required to have questions they did
not understand. Even without any knowledge the answers to the questions did provide them with
the initial purpose Dr. Berns first had.
The amount of time for both genres were greatly different. The first genre was based on a
speech which was foreshadowed and organized by Mina Whorms (2015). Since her speech was
roughly around a total of eight minutes. It gave the speaker enough time to highlight the main
purpose and transition her stories without confusing her audience. Though, for the second genre,

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Dr. Berns was given a window of one hour. Both the audience and Dr. Berns had enough time to
understand each other. It also helped the doctor properly inform his audience with the correct
information with detail while attaining concise order.
Each genre had different purposes but presenting the same topic to their audience. The first
genre Conformity: are we afraid to stand out? (May 26, 2015), Whorms wants to persuade her
audience. Delivering many questions about society and raising the question of why not? .
Inspiring the audience to question the norms and become unique. In the abc Q&A the main
purpose is to inform and to give advice. Dr. Berns, is asked multiple questions of how it can be
applied to every aspect of life. Asked about mainly students and how instructors can help. Every
individual genre has its purpose even if they have the same goal they differ. Similarities
between them both are how they want to change an individual's opinion. Dr. Berns is very
monotoned however, he thoroughly explains how it works and how it can be opposed to. Mina
Whorms also explains thoroughly, gives examples of other people's lives instead of more
psychology facts.
The vocabulary used by Dr. Berns in the Q&A is brought down to general standards. Since he
is speaking to a general public he brought down his vocabulary terms that we assume he has as a
psychiatrist. He used very formal language in order to make his answers clear. However in
Conformity: are we afraid to stand out? she uses the language used in the psychology field. It
does contain the elevated language because it is a speech describing youth conformity. Every
audience member was slightly knowledgeable of the terms. Having specialized vocabulary
narrowed down the audience, unlike the first genre which was to the general public. However, it
was simple enough for anyone to understand because it was later explained.

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The Q&A was an article it was simple with only black and white colors. This included the title
which had larger and bold text. There was no misspelling and was organized with the separation
of question and answer. The lecture or speech was in an auditorium, with a black curtain
background. To the right of her was a red X representing the program. The speaker semi-casual
dressed which gave a feeling of an easy going environment. Finally, the room was filled with
desk for the audience to listen in. The spotlight was directed to the speaker while the rest of the
auditorium was dark which represented the main focus.

Rhetorical Issues
Both genres have every appeal to them some which are stronger and more represented than one
or the other.
Ethos
In the first genre Conformity: are we afraid to stand out? the speaker is a student who
conducts and analyzes different aspects of the subject . Presenting the information, it had to be
correct about teenagers in their social environment . Under the help and mentoring of psychology
teachers, the speaker, and the information is credible. Due to the approval of the data collected it
was used to be presented. The second genre explained social conformity even with the confusion
of the audience it raised more questions. Credibility in the second genre is based on Dr. Berns
who has a Ph.D. and is a neurosurgeon. Having experience in the discipline as well as research.
Another credible source to both genres is the time frames which are from 2015-2016. Which in
science without any modification within time, it is relevant.

SOCIAL CONFORMITY AMONGST TEENAGERS

Pathos

The first genre is the speech which the speaker uses greatly for emotional appeal. Whorms
wants to inspire the audience not to be afraid to stand out. She uses tactics to make the audience
feel certain emotions. For example, she first uses the story of a transgender male who was not
accepted by his family and later committed suicide (Whorms,2015 ,1:48). Strong enough, it
made the audience feel concern and sympathy. Which made the speech highly effective for the
audience and her cause. The second genre the Q&A isnt very strong in emotional appeal, the
information is more of the focus. An approach to pathos was when Dr. Berns said : I strongly
believe that the solution is to teach children that the greatest source of lasting satisfaction is their
own achievements -- not measured by what their friends think or even by what adults think.
(2016 ,P.13). He sends a strong message as a psychiatrist to invoke people to teach children not
to be concerned on others opinion but help them create an identity. This is the only personal
opinion that creates an emotional appeal in the Q&A.
Logos
Conformity: are we afraid to stand out?, the speech was capturing and professional . The
speaker used logos through her presentation. However, it was also reliable because of the
approval of several credible mentors. Included evidence was research with students (mostly in
high school) and correlating conformity with adolescents. In the second genre, the logos is in the
text. The psychiatrist presents evidence of history of psychology which has been used for further
experiments. As well as, his own research and experiments supported by scientific evidence and
outcomes.
Structure and delivery

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Both genres had very distinct structures. First the speech was first opened by the speaker and
introduced themselves. After established their credibility and then defined conformity. Soon
after, they went from example to example of conformity to grasp attention from the audience.
Her delivery was strong implying new ideas to her audience. The second genre did not have a
specific structure due to the format of a Q&A. It did have a type of introduction from the most
simple question to the more extended questions. Delivery on the second genre was mainly about
delivering the information needed by the audience. Both deliveries were exciting to the audience
making them interesting and respectful to their topic. They are also easy to understand and
analyze for further references.
Conclusion
Finally for both genres they were executed as strong as possible. The first genre was more for
inspiration to hope, motivate teenagers to not be afraid to stand out. While the second genre was
based more on facts and experiments for public information. Both genres emphasized conformity
on young adults or teenagers. Each individual executed capturing moments the speaker when she
highlighted certain life examples (TEDx, 2015). The psychiatrist as well, when he gave his
powerful opinion on what adults should encourage their children as they develop (Berns, 2015).
Also bringing up how powerful conformity really is to our society and the causes of it.

SOCIAL CONFORMITY AMONGST TEENAGERS

References
Berns, G. (n.d.). Dr. Greg Berns Answers Viewers' Questions on
Conformity. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?
id=1504239

Whorms, M. (2016, February 18). Conformity: Are we afraid to stand out?

Speech presented at TEDx Program. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from
https://youtu.be/LiC0Gi0nK9g