Crisis conformity as affiliation defense under mortality salience: a TMT perspective

These findings reveal the psychological mechanism of crisis conformity within the framework of TMT: crises increase affiliation needs and conformity (Studies 1a & 1b), consistent with the mortality salience hypothesis. The presence of evacuation companions during mortality-salient crises significantly attenuates affiliative needs toward crowds and correspondingly reduces conformity propensities (Study 2). Conformity as an affiliation defense mitigates negative affect and mortality anxiety while enhancing positive affect, thereby buffering psychological distress (Study 3). This study extends TMT to the field of crisis conformity research, providing a new perspective on interpreting the intrinsic motivation underlying crisis conformity.