Social psychology is a scientific study used to examine and explain how an individual's thoughts and feelings affect their behavior within a society; how members interact socially, including their motivations; and what influences these members have on each other. This essay will attempt to introduce the major psychologists, their theories, and the idiographic research they have conducted. In particular, it will focus on the characteristics and definition of compliance and surveys of opinions on compliance. Furthermore, it aims to critically analyze and reveal a correlation between the results and conclusions with respect to the current understanding of human social behavior. Conformity is a form of social influence and is also known as majority influence, since people conform to the norm. s) of their particular group. Social norms are belief systems that ensure efficient, manageable, and predictable living, creating a sense of order in which people can live. These norms vary within each social group, for example: family, friends, tribes or nations and are embedded in most life choices, such as fashion for example. The common goals of norms help guide behavior, and through social cognition, people interpret the behavior and response required by each situation. Culture, contexts and social roles can affect levels of compliance. In collectivist societies, such as those of China and Russia, respect for cultural values ​​and traditional norms is more evident than in the individualist societies of Europe and America. Although in China and Russia there are generally more serious consequences and punishments for anyone who demonstrates defamation of values ​​or disloyalty....... middle of paper ..... . has a negative effect on a person's health, often leading to depression. Research has improved human understanding and interpretation of behavior. Although these studies revealed many general personality flaws, the mere fact that these traits were exposed opens the way for further investigation, psychological study, and improvement. The science of mind and behavior. 3rd ed. Gross, R. 1996, Bookpoint LTD.Psychology AS – The Complete Companion, Cardwell, M. & Flanagan, C. 2005. Nelson Thornes Limited. Social Psychology – Edited by Giles, B. 2002. The Brown Reference Group PLC. http://12most.com/2012/12/14/revealing-studies-of-human-behavior-2/ http://psychology.about.com/od/classicpsychologystudies/p/conformity.htmhttp://scienceblogs. com/startswithabang/2011/09/21/who-discovered-the-earth-is-ro/