social compulsion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "social compulsion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a pressure or urge to conform to social norms or behaviors within a group or society. Example: "Many people feel a social compulsion to attend events, even when they would prefer to stay home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

My first glass of wine, which I do not care for, was taken under social compulsion in Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

For a writer, who may have fought every social compulsion to "grow up", whose inner world has been constellated around avoiding that surrender, this is an interesting predicament.

The Guardian - Books

Public observation became the new social compulsion: Schinkel's jolliest building, called the New Curiosity, is a rotunda that stands by the road at the edge of Glienicke Park where it commands a perfect 360-degree view of anyone traveling between Potsdam and Berlin.

The New York Times - Travel

He'd moved back to Japan and seemed happy there, though certain changes in the culture--what he described as a peculiar preoccupation with the trivial, and a social compulsion to conform--bewildered him.

HuffPost

But it's moments when I find myself in a store completely overwhelmed by the rows of compacts, tubes, pencils, kits and bottles that I am reminded of the social compulsion to shut up and makeup, so to speak.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, all members of the society are not keen to fish due to economic and social compulsions.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

This fear however, isn't what has kept me from surrendering to my usual social media compulsion.

Huffington Post

Even though I panic about the toll my social media compulsion is taking on me, I tweet and I tweet and I tweet some more.

Vice

Her works implicate our social media compulsions.

Vice

Food trucks seemed to draw from everything about L.A. in 2010 — mobility, multiculturalism, social-media compulsion and the ceaseless drive toward novelty.

Los Angeles Times

Like with any social media obsession, the compulsion to curate a perfect classroom can become overwhelming, and for some, even interferes with other responsibilities like lesson planning.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "social compulsion", consider the specific source and nature of the pressure. Is it from peers, society at large, or a specific cultural group? Use more specific terms if clarity is needed.

Common error

Avoid using "social compulsion" when a more specific term like "peer pressure" or "cultural norm" would be more accurate. Overgeneralization can dilute the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "social compulsion" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a force or pressure exerted by society that influences individuals' behavior. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "social compulsion" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the pressure or urge to conform to social norms. While Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, its frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using the phrase, consider whether a more specific term like "peer pressure" or "cultural norm" might be more appropriate to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives like "societal pressure", "group conformity", and "social obligation" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

social pressure

General term for influence exerted by society.

societal pressure

Focuses more on the general pressure exerted by society as a whole.

social expectation

Broader term referring to what society expects of individuals.

social obligation

Highlights the sense of duty or requirement imposed by social norms.

group conformity

Emphasizes the act of conforming to the norms of a specific group.

community expectation

Focuses on the expectations held by a community.

social demand

Highlights the requests or expectations from a social group.

peer pressure

Specifically relates to the influence exerted by one's peers.

normative influence

Highlights the influence of social norms on individual behavior.

cultural imperative

Emphasizes the strong cultural demands on behavior.

FAQs

How does "social compulsion" differ from "social pressure"?

"Social compulsion" implies a more forceful or irresistible urge to conform, while "social pressure" is a broader term encompassing various forms of influence.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "social compulsion"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "societal pressure", "group conformity", or "social obligation".

In what contexts is "social compulsion" most appropriately used?

"Social compulsion" is best used when describing situations where individuals feel a strong, almost irresistible urge to behave in a socially prescribed manner, often against their personal preferences. For instance, "My first glass of wine, which I do not care for, was taken under social compulsion in Europe."

Is "social compulsion" a formal or informal term?

"Social compulsion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in analytical or descriptive writing found in news and media, rather than casual conversation.