Group processes in sport

Group processes in sport can be divided into conformity and compliance:

Conformity is internally driven desire to accept influence because they want to. It is affected by motivation, internalized norms, by the desire to be a group member. Acceptance of influence occurs in both public and private behavior. Many of the adjustments of attitudes and behavior in groups occur because of conformity. Often athletes are not even consciously aware that they have conformed because they did not actively think about it. Even when conformity may be awkward, difficult or costly, individuals may adjust because the behavior is normative, i.e., it is seen as legitimate, right and proper. “Conscience behaviors,” even when the individual realizes that they may incur penalties from other groups or the larger society, are an example of normative behaviors.

Compliance is externally imposed acceptance of influence, often regulated by strong rewards or punishments. Internally, individuals may disagree with the external order or feel uncomfortable about it but their public behavior adjusts to the source of influence nonetheless. Compliance behavior occurs more often when the individual believes s/he has few or no alternatives in group choice (e.g., there is no opportunity to work with a different coach, therefore the athlete feels obliged to comply )with the current one).

Compliance is more likely among low status group members, whereas conformity is more likely among high status group members. Highly cohesive teams not only can create more conformity, but, should the individual wish to belong no matter what, can be more coersive as well. Importantly, compliance is a much more costly mechanism than conformity.