Kelman (1958) – Social Influence

Description

People change their behaviour and attitudes in the presence of others because of compliance (reward/approval from group), identification (want a relationship) or internalisation (group attitude/behaviour aligns with individual).

Strengths

Tested experimentally and effects observed.

Applicable to therapy and real life.

Weaknesses

Requires close observation and analysis.

Doesn’t apply to all attitude changes from social interaction. E.g. learning in a social environment

Applications

Policies for education:

·       Mentors (identification and

·       internalisation)

Consequences for (compliance)

• social influence theory (Kelman, 1958)

• Compliance - change attitude or behaviour to be rewarded of approved of by a person or group.

• Identification - change attitude or behaviour to establish a good relationship with someone.

• Internalisation - change attitude or behaviour because those of the group align with the individual.

Obedience

·       change behaviour due to direct order from authority figure (to avoid punishment)

• Conformity

  • factors affecting conformity:

• factors affecting conformity:

• Normative influence - changes answer to be accepted and not stand out.

• Informational influence - changes answer because they belief the group has more information.

• Culture:

• Individualistic = less likely to conform.

• Collectivist = more like to conform.

prosocial behaviour

• prosocial behaviour - voluntary helping behaviour or acts of kindness which are meant to benefit others.

  • factors influencing prosocial behaviour:

    • Reciprocity principle - people feel obligated to give back to others when they help them or give them something.

    • Social responsibility - the idea that individuals have a duty to act in a way that benefits society.

    • Personal characteristics (empathy, mood, competence, altruism) - contribute to a person's likelihood of helping.

• helping

• helping - a voluntary action intended to benefit another person that has no benefit to the person performing it.

bullying

• bullying - Behaviour intended to harm the recipient.

  • Relational - relationships as a form of control and way of inflicting harm.

  • Overt - physical and verbal aggression.