Apparent inner conflict often masks attempts to match local norms

Evidence

Third, what may seem like inconsistency and “inner conflict” may actually reflect attempts to be consistent with local norms. When people make these changes, when they adapt to new groups and changing norms, the motives they report and the experiences that they have in conforming to new norms may sometimes appear to be enduring personality traits, motive profiles or value configurations. Instead, they may often be simply attempts to conform to a new set of norms. — , Rudman, Laurie A - On the Nature of…, 1937

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to DEEPTHINKING-tinged personality theory — the idea that ‘personality’ may partly be situational norm-conformity echoes situationist critiques of trait theory (Mischel-style). — connects to: The absence of conflict in normal people masks authority’s prior suppression of instinct; The anti-Semite’s conflict mirrors a clash between prejudiced and democratic norms — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School: Its History,…, 1792; Social norms exercise overwhelming force over even trained observers of behavior — Shoshana Zuboff, The Age of Surveillance Capitalism, 1507 (+1 more)