Psychiatry Investig.  2017 Jul;14(4):463-470. 10.4306/pi.2017.14.4.463.

The Role of Conformity in Relation to Cohesiveness and Intimacy in Day-Hospital Groups of Patients with Schizophrenia

• Park IH
• Park SY
• Choi S
• Lee SY
• Kim JJ

• KMID: 2387138
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2017.14.4.463

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Conformity is defined as the act of adjusting one's behavior to match the social responses of others. Patients with schizophrenia often adjust their maladaptive behaviors by conforming in group treatment settings. This study aimed to examine whether the opinions of group members influence conformity of patients with schizophrenia who attend day-hospital programs.
METHODS
Nineteen patients with schizophrenia from four different day-hospital programs and 23 healthy controls from four different social clubs completed the homographic meaning choice task under conditions of prior exposure to the pseudo-opinions of their group members, strangers, and unknown information sources. Group influences on conformity were observed when the level of group cohesiveness was high and the level of intimacy was low across participant groups.
RESULTS
Controls did not exhibit a significant effect of group influence on conformity, whereas patients were significantly influenced by their group members when making conformity-based decisions despite significantly lower intimacy and cohesiveness levels.
CONCLUSION
These findings suggest that unlike controls, patients with schizophrenia tend to respond with conformity when influenced by the opinions of their affiliated group. In patients with schizophrenia group conformity may be used to select a more accurate decision and to enhance feelings of affiliation among them.

Keyword

Conformity; Group cohesiveness; Intimacy; Schizophrenia; Group therapy

MeSH Terms

Humans
Psychotherapy, Group
Schizophrenia*