Concern for Appropriateness Scale and Behavioral Conformity

The validity of the Concern for Appropriateness Scale (CFA; Lennox & Wolfe, 1984) as a measure of tendencies to conform to group conformity pressures was investigated. Thirty-four high and 28 low scorers on the CFA were placed in a conformity situation designed to modify previously expressed values. Pressures to conform were exerted on four critical questions that had been identified by subjects as either personally important or unimportant. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed statistically significant effects for concern and personal importance, as well as the interaction of both. Subjects scoring low on the CFA showed, little conformity regardless of value importance, whereas those scoring high on the CFA conformed more overall, and much more on unimportant than important issues. Results confirm that the CFA assesses individual differences in susceptibility to peer pressure.