Module 42: Social Influence

Norms

Understood rules for accepted and expected behavior, proper behavior

Chameleon Effect

By Chartrand and Bargh, others in our group often doing the same behaviors as each other

Mood Contagion

We take on the emotional tones of those around us, allows us to empathize

Mood Linkage

The sharing of moods

Conformity

Studied by Soloman, adjusting our behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard

Normative Social Influence

Influence resulting from a person’s desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval

Dynamic Norms

Norms that are changing/new, but still supported by people

Informational Social Influence

Influence resulting from a person’s willingness to accept others’ opinions about reality

Collectivism

Emphasizing group standards

Individualism

Emphasizing an independent self

Stanley Milgram

Studied effect of punishment on learning, electricity volt experiment

Birkenhead Drill

Soldiers line up on a sinking ship, following orders to maintain order

Conclusion of Birkenhead Drill

Individuals or groups conform to strict protocols even in life-or-death situations

Foot-in-the-Door Technique

Persuasion technique where a small, initial request is made so the person will comply with a larger request (after first acts of compliance, attitudes follow and justify behavior)

Social Control

Power of a situation

Personal Control

Power of individual

Minority Influence

The power of one or two individuals to sway majorities

Norman Triplett

Reported that adolescents would wind a fishing reel faster in the presence of someone doing the same thing (others’ presence influences behavior)

Social Facilitation

By Triplett, in the presence of others, improved performance on simple or well-learned tasks, and worsened performance on difficult tasks

Social Loafing

The tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts with others rather than being on their own

Deindividuation

The loss of self-awareness and self-restraint occurring in group situations when people are annoyed, leading to impulsive or antisocial behavior

Group-Polarization

The enhancement of a group’s beliefs and attitudes through discussion within a group

Groupthink

By Irving Janis, the mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group results in irrational decision-making outcomes

Result of Groupthink

Group minimizes conflict and reaches a consensus decision without critical evaluation, leading to possible catastrophic behaviors