social influence is divided into 3 major types by its strength - conformity, compliance and obedience. conformity is the slightest one. people do as others do. it is called the chameleon effect, where people basically act like chameleons and unconsciously imitate others, e.g. yawn, laugh, cross legs in public. it happens automatically and people not always realize and admit it. there is informative and normative conformity. first one is based on information. people imitate others when they are in unclear situations and don't know what to do, how to act. second one is more being "normal" in public, not standing out from the crowd and accepting some "norms".