Conventionality is a normal characteristic of any collective entity, which means groups of things. Human society is no exception; there are the conventional (the majority) and the unconventional (the minority).

Being conventional is usually seen as the fact that you lack what it takes to be truly creative and innovative to craft something that’s different and valuable for the greater good, and so it’s usually criticized because it hinders development.

But… why is there conventionality if it’s frowned upon?

• Adherence to Natural Order: The adherence to conventions represents stability and consistency, essential for maintaining order. However, this adherence may also lead to stagnation and eventual degradation. The key to avoiding this decline lies in breaking free from conventional constraints.
• Importance of Conventions for Survival: A crucial aspect of conventionality is its role in ensuring safety and survival. Relying on collective knowledge provides a tested and reliable framework, minimizing the risks associated with venturing into the unknown, particularly in urgent situations where experimentation could have life-threatening consequences. Adherence to conventions ensures a secure path in critical scenarios.
• Efficiency of Familiar Methods: Embracing proven and familiar methods ensures greater efficiency, saving both time and energy while accomplishing tasks. This prudent approach allows individuals to allocate their resources towards other pursuits, reflecting a time-honored strategy throughout human history. Conversely, innovation demands dedicated efforts and extensive time investment to yield improved solutions and conserve resources for others.
• Psychological Considerations – Fear of Social Exclusion: From a psychological standpoint, the innate human need for belonging is integral to mental well-being. Social cohesion empowers individuals and is instrumental for survival, as evidenced by the detrimental effects of isolation on mental health. Research underscores the association between social isolation and various mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. The mutual acceptance inherent in social bonds is vital for psychological equilibrium and averts the fear of exclusion, an intrinsic aspect of human nature.

Those are the reasons why conventionality exists and is necessary. The problem is, don’t let conventional thinking turn you into a mindless, bot-like individual that dislikes creativity. As a survival mechanism, we tend to reject elements that are foreign and alien, because our instincts define them as potential threats to our well-being/existence. Consequently, people in society usually shun people who are different, no matter good or bad, making assumptions that can become severely detrimental misevaluations.

There is nothing wrong with being conventional, but it’s worth raising public awareness on the nature of creativity so when you encounter individuals with a different mindset that you do not quite understand, you should give yourself some time to evaluate them well before arriving at a conclusion and/or making a decision, or at least stay neutral towards them and let time tell the results.