Social Influence

Social influence

processes by which individuals and groups change each other's attitudes and behaviour

Conformity

type of majority influence. An individual changes their behaviour or opinions to be the same as the group.

Obedience

an individual does what an authority figure tells them, or follows a rule set by authorities

Minority influence

individual or small group persuades an individual or larger group to go along with minority instead of with the majority.

Independent behaviour

when an individual resists the pressures to conform or to obey. Behaves how they would have done without influence of others

Normative social influence

•       People want to be liked / accepted / feel normal / fit in / not be rejected

•       i.e., for social / emotional reasons

Informational social influence

•       People want to be right / have true beliefs / are uncertain / believe others knew better / have better abilities

•       i.e., for cognitive reasons