Social Impact theory

Question 1

What does social impact theory state?

Answer 1

Obedience is created by the influence of: group size, proximity and importance of source

Question 2

Who is the target?

Answer 2

the person being influenced

Question 3

Who is the source?

Answer 3

the person who is doing the influencing

Question 4

What is the mathematical formula for SIT? what do the symbols mean?

Answer 4

i = f(SIN)
i= how likely it is we will conform
f= a function
S= power of persuasion (strength)
I= immediacy
N= size of group

Question 5

what is the multiplier effect?

Answer 5

the combination of all the elements of SIT (proximity, number of group, importance) as an individual

Question 6

What is the divisional effect?

Answer 6

more targets harder to influence

Question 7

equationEvaluate Social Impact theory

Answer 7

S- Sedikides & Jackson- dress as zoo keepers and ask civilians to stand back off the bar- found more impact from high immediacy and high strength
C- breaking down SIT into basic mathematical formula is too reductionist
Mullen conducted meta-analysis of source strength and source immediacy- weak and lacked consistency
O- Agency theory
U- theory can be generalizable to large populations and cultures
mathematical equation can be used across all cultures
T- mathematical equation