Social Impact Theory

Question 1

Social Impact

Answer 1

Effect others have on our behaviour

Question 2

Sources and Targets

Answer 2

Latene 1981
Source = person doing influencing
Targets = people who are influenced
Impact on target = f(SIN)

Question 3

SIN stands for

Answer 3

Strength
Immediacy
Number

Question 4

What is strength

Answer 4

Perceived power/authority of source and messages they convey
Affected by socioeconomic status, age and nature of any past or future relationship with target

Question 5

What is immediacy

Answer 5

Proximity of source and target
Physical or psychological barrier

Question 6

What is number

Answer 6

How many sources present

Question 7

Multiplicative and divisional effects (lightbulb analogy)

Answer 7

Strength of bulb = 100 watts compared to 70
Immediacy = how far away light source
Number = number of light bulbs
Divisional effect = if social impact theory is reduced, more targets than sources
Impact on target = f(1/(SIN))

Question 8

The law of diminishing returns

Answer 8

Latane
If increase group bigger than 3, each additional person has less of an influencing effect
E.g. adding 53rd person is less social impact than adding 2nd

Question 9

Strength

Answer 9

Sedikides and Jackson 1990
Zoo visitors responses to being told not to lean on rail
Strength = how dressed => 58% as zoo keeper, 35% in T shirt
Immediacy => 61% in same room, 7% in different room
Number => 60% in groups of 1 or 2, 14% in groups of 5 or 6

Question 10

Counter argument of strength

Answer 10

Field experiment so researchers unable to manipulate number of people in each group
People who choose to go around in big groups have less obedient personalities
May not be group size caused level of defiance

Question 11

Weakness

Answer 11

Hofling 1966
Unknown doctor to telephone 22 nurses and ask to administer overdose of drug not on ward list
95% nurses administered drug
Doctor not present but nurses obeyed
Absent source should reduce effect