social influence

social influence

the scientific field that seeks to understand the nature and causes of individual behaviour in social situations

conformity

a change in belief or behaviour in order to be in line with a group this change is in response to real or imagined group pressure

informational social influence

‘conforming to be right’ when someone is unsure about something they may seek the opinions of others, especially if they believe they are in a better position. More likely to happen in unfamiliar situations

normative social influence

‘conforming to be liked’ when an individual conforms to fit in with the group because we do not want to be foolish or be left out. This change will be temporary

compliance

an individual goes along with the group because they want their behaviour to gain approval - short term change

identification

elements of compliance and internalisation, individual accepts the behaviour and attitudes they are adopting as true, but they are doing it to be accepted by the group

internalisation

an individual changes both private beliefs and public behaviour - long term change

obedience

behaving in a certain way because we are ordered to by an authority figure - this person has legitimate authority and can punish us

confederate

fake participants who have been planted by the researcher, they respond based on what they have been told to do

social identity

we adopt the views/beliefs of our social/cultural group but do not necessarily internalise with them