Social influence Flashcards
What is social influence?
It’s when an individual’s behaviour is influenced by their social factors.
What is an example of social influence?
Social Hierarchy.
What are the 4 key areas social influence looks at?
- Conformity
- Obedience
- Minority influence
- Social change
When does conformity occur?
When a persons behaviour changed as a result of social influence (group pressure)
What is internalisation?
When a person genuinely accepts the norms which results in change of opinions and behaviour publicly and privately.
What’s the strongest type of conformity and why?
Internalisation because the change it causes is permanent.
What is identification?
When we identify with a group we value therefore we agree with its norms and values even if we don’t agree with them privately. (
What is compliance?
Agreeing with others in public but not privately. Resulting in a superficial change of behaviour which stops as soon as the group pressure stops.
What are the 2 explanations for conformity?
- Normative social influence
- Informational social influence
Who came up with normative social influence?
Deutsch and Gerard (1955)
What is Normative social influence?
This occurs when we wished to be liked by the majority so we agree with their norms and values even if we dont agree with them privately.
What is informational social influence?
When we look to majority group for information as we are unsure about the way in which to behave.
Explanation for Conformity through Normative social Influence.
- Schultz et all (2008)
- 75% hotel guests re-used their towels each day, which reduced their towel use by 25%
- suggesting that people shape their behaviour out of a desire to fit in with their reference group.
Whats a limitation for NSI?
Research shows that NSI does not affect everyone’s behaviour the same way. For example; some people are less concerned about being liked therefore are less likely to be affected by NSI.
Explaination of conformity through ISI.
- imposter syndrome
- some people believe that they are less educated than others which leads them to follow others.
- Brink and Henley (1996) : ppts exposed to neg info about African American later reported more negative beliefs about a black individual.
What’s a limitation for ISI?
Perrin and Spencer : individual differences ; some people are less likely to seek information from others.
