This book investigates the psychological mechanisms and social pressures that drive individuals to align their behaviors and beliefs with group norms. Authors Charles A. Kiesler and Sara B. Kiesler provide a comprehensive examination of the experimental research surrounding conformity, drawing upon foundational studies in social psychology. They analyze the variables that influence individual compliance, including group size, unanimity, and the nature of the task, to establish a framework for understanding why people yield to social influence.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational text for students and researchers interested in the historical development of social influence theory. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous introduction to the experimental literature of the field.