Which of the following best describes social conformity?

Social conformity is characterized by the tendency of individuals to align their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors with the norms or expectations of a group. This behavior often arises from a desire to belong or fit in, which may lead individuals to avoid disagreements to maintain harmony within the group. When people conform socially, they may suppress their own opinions or disagreements to align with the majority or to avoid conflict, thus making the avoidance of disagreements a key aspect of social conformity.

In contrast, confronting differing opinions or engaging in critical thinking requires a level of divergence from the group consensus, which does not align with the definition of conformity. A preference for collaborative decision-making suggests active engagement and contribution from all parties rather than passive alignment to group norms, which again differentiates it from the act of conforming. Overall, the essence of social conformity lies in the tendency to go along with group norms, often at the expense of one's own beliefs, leading to the correct identification of avoiding disagreements as the best descriptor of this phenomenon.