PSYC 241 - Module 6

Social Influence

The influence of other people on our everyday thoughts, feelings, and behavior

Conformity

The change in beliefs, opinions, and behaviors as a result of our perceptions about what other people believe or do

Leadership

The ability to direct or inspire others to achieve goals

Informational Social Influence

The change in opinions or behavior that occurs when we conform to people who we believe have accurate information

Social Comparison

The process of comparing our opinions with those of others to gain an accurate appraisal of the validity of an opinion or behavior

Private Acceptance

Real change in opinions on the part of the individual

Normative Social Influence

The expression of opinion or behavior in ways that help us to be accepted or that keep us from being isolated or rejected by others

Social Norms

Socially accepted beliefs about what we do or should do in particular social contexts

Public Compliance

A superficial change in behavior (including the public expression of opinions) that is not accompanies by an actual change in one’s private opinion.

Majority Influence

The beliefs held by the larger number of individuals in the current social group prevail

Minority Influence

The beliefs held by the smaller number of individuals in the current social group prevail

Social Impact

The increase in the amount of conformity that is produced by adding new members to the majority groups

Social Power

The ability of a person to create conformity even when the people being influenced may attempt to resist those changes

Authoritarianism

A tendency to prefer things to be simple rather than complex and to hold traditional values

Conscientiousness

A tendency to be responsible, orderly, and dependable

Agreeableness

A tendency to be good natured, cooperative, and trusting

Moral Reasoning

The manner in which one makes ethical judgments

Social Intelligence

The ability to develop a clear perception of the situation using situational cues

Reward Power

The ability to distribute positive or negative rewards

Coercive Power

The ability to dispense punishments or create negative outcomes for others

Legitimate Power

Authority that comes from a belief on the part of those being influenced that the person has a legitimate right to demand obedience.

• power is vested on those who are appointed or elected to positions of authority

Referent Power

Influence based on identification with, attraction to, or respect for the power-holder

Expert Power

Power that comes from others’ beliefs that the power-holder possesses superior skills and abilities.

• informational influence

Personality Theories of Leadership

Explanations of leadership based on the idea that some people are simply “natural leaders” because they possess personality characteristics that make them effective.

Charismatic Leaders

Leaders who are enthusiastic, committed, and self-confident; who tend to talk about the importance of group goals at a broad level; and who make personal sacrifices for the group.

Transactional Leaders

Regular leaders who work with their subordinates to help them understand what is required of them and to get the job done.

Transformational Leaders

Leaders that have a vision of where the group is going and attempt to stimulate and inspire their workers to move beyond their present status and to create a new and better future.

Contingency Model of Leadership Effectiveness

A model of leadership effectiveness that focuses on both person variables and situational variables

Leader-member Relations

The degree to which the leader already has a good relationship with the group and the support of the group members.

Task Structure

The extent to which the task is structured and unambiguous.

Position Power

The leader’s level of power or support in the organization

Psychological Reactance

A strong motivational state that resists social influence