What is Social Influence?
What is Social Influence?
Social influence refers to the way people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are affected by others. This influence can be direct, such as following instructions from an authority figure, or indirect, like conforming to social norms.
What is Meant by Social Influence?
Social influence describes how individuals change their behaviour in response to the presence, opinions, or actions of others. It plays a key role in psychology and sociology, helping explain conformity, obedience, and group dynamics.
What Are the 6 Types of Social Influence?
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Conformity – Adjusting one’s behaviour or beliefs to fit in with a group.
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Obedience – Following direct orders from an authority figure.
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Compliance – Changing behaviour in response to a direct request.
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Normative Social Influence – Conforming to be liked or accepted.
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Informational Social Influence – Conforming due to uncertainty, relying on others for guidance.
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Minority Influence – When a small group influences the majority over time.
Key Definitions of Social Influence
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Conformity: Adjusting behaviour or attitudes to align with group norms.
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Obedience: Following orders from an authority figure.
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Social Norms: Unwritten rules about acceptable behaviour in society.
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Persuasion: The process of changing someone’s beliefs or actions through communication.
What Are 4 Major Social Influences?
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Family Influence – The values, traditions, and expectations passed down through generations.
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Peer Pressure – The effect that people of the same age group have on an individual’s choices.
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Cultural Influence – Societal beliefs and customs that shape individual behaviour.
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Media Influence – The way news, social media, and advertisements affect perceptions and decisions.
Social Influence in Psychology
In psychology, social influence is studied through experiments such as:
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Asch’s Conformity Experiment – Demonstrating how people conform to group pressure.
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Milgram’s Obedience Study – Showing how individuals follow authority even against their morals.
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Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment – Exploring the power of social roles.
Social Influence in Sociology
Sociologists study social influence to understand societal structures, power dynamics, and group behaviour. They examine how norms, roles, and institutions shape individual and collective actions.
Types of Social Influence
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Normative Social Influence – Driven by the need for social approval.
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Informational Social Influence – Based on the need for guidance in uncertain situations.
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Groupthink – When group consensus takes priority over rational decision-making.
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Social Facilitation – Performing better on tasks when observed by others.
Examples of Social Influence in Daily Life
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Wearing formal attire to a job interview due to social expectations.
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Buying a product because friends recommend it.
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Changing opinions on political issues after discussions with peers.
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Following social distancing rules during a pandemic.
Social Influence Theory
Social Influence Theory suggests that people change their behaviour due to three factors:
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Strength – How important the influencing group is.
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Immediacy – How close in time and space the influence is.
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Number – The size of the group exerting influence.
Download the Social Influence PDF
For a comprehensive study guide on social influence, including key studies, evaluation points, and exam tips, download the Social Influence Digital Interactive Revision Workbook – Yum Yum Mama.
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