同調圧力(どうちょうあつりょく)

どうちょうあつりょく
noun
peer pressure; pressure to conform
society
1. peer pressure; pressure to conform; conformity pressure
Social pressure exerted by a group on individuals to align their behavior, opinions, or attitudes with the group's norms. A frequently discussed concept in analyses of Japanese society.
同調圧力(どうちょうあつりょく)に負(ま)けてしまった。
I gave in to peer pressure.
職場(しょくば)の同調圧力(どうちょうあつりょく)で残業(ざんぎょう)を断(ことわ)れない。
I can't refuse overtime because of the conformity pressure at work.
SNS上(じょう)の同調圧力(どうちょうあつりょく)によって、自分(じぶん)の意見(いけん)を言(い)いにくい雰囲気(ふんいき)が生(う)まれている。
Conformity pressure on social media has created an atmosphere where it's hard to express one's own opinions.

Usage

A compound of 同調(どうちょう) (conformity, agreement) + 圧力(あつりょく) (pressure). A modern term frequently used in discussions about Japanese society, where group harmony and conformity are culturally valued.

Cultural note

同調圧力(どうちょうあつりょく) is often cited as a characteristic feature of Japanese social dynamics. It manifests in workplaces (pressure to work overtime when others do), schools (bullying of those who stand out), and daily life (pressure to follow unwritten social rules).

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 空気(くうき)を読(よ)む: to read the room — the related social skill of sensing unspoken group expectations
  • 集団心理(しゅうだんしんり): group mentality — the psychological tendency to follow the group

Related Words

Compare: 空気(くうき)を読(よ)む (to read the room)
general
Added 2026.3.16 12:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17000/17159_douchouatsuryoku