In psychology they actually consider there to be two distinct types of non-conformity: independence and anti-conformity.
Anti-conformity is arguably just another form of conformity. As the name implies, it involves deliberately acting in whatever way a person considers to be the opposite of the norm. As their behaviour is still absolutely dictated by popular opinion and normality, just in the polar opposite direction, it is not true non-conformity.
The only form of true non-conformity is "independence"; or, in other words, what Nex described. Independent people do as they wish regardless of its popularity. Because of this, they also rarely tend to describe themselves as non-conformists, as many of their interests or behaviours do match with the norm. The difference is that they don't match with the norm simply because it is the norm, but rather because their own interest happens to coincide with others'.
That's the official psychological perspective, anyway.
Anti-conformity is arguably just another form of conformity. As the name implies, it involves deliberately acting in whatever way a person considers to be the opposite of the norm. As their behaviour is still absolutely dictated by popular opinion and normality, just in the polar opposite direction, it is not true non-conformity.
The only form of true non-conformity is "independence"; or, in other words, what Nex described. Independent people do as they wish regardless of its popularity. Because of this, they also rarely tend to describe themselves as non-conformists, as many of their interests or behaviours do match with the norm. The difference is that they don't match with the norm simply because it is the norm, but rather because their own interest happens to coincide with others'.
That's the official psychological perspective, anyway.