Social Influences ( Term 3 )

Social Influence Theory

People are heavily influenced by the thoughts and actions of others.

Compliance

The influence of a person or group on an individual through the use of rewards or punishments.

Identification

The influence of a person or group on an individual through the process of identifying with them.

Internalization

The influence of a person or group on an individual through the process of accepting their attitudes, values, or behaviors as their own.

Pro-social Behavior

Behavior that benefits other people and society in general.

Nature vs

Socio-biology views pro-social behavior as genetic (Nature) while Nurture suggests it is learned during the socialization process.

Decision-stage model of helping

Model of situational influences on bystander intervention.

Reciprocity Principle

The belief that if someone does something for you, you should do something for them.

Social Responsibility Norm

The belief that people have a social responsibility to help those in need.

Personal Characteristics

Past experiences and immediate circumstances that influence a person's pro-social behavior.

Empathy

Our emotional response to a person's distress.

Mood

A low-intensity, long-lasting emotional state that influences pro-social behavior.

Competence

Our capacity to successfully complete a task, influencing our willingness to help others.

Altruism

Helping others without seeking personal gain, often at great personal cost.

Anti-social Behavior

Selfish behavior negatively valued by society, causing harm to others.

Diffusion of Responsibility

The diminished sense of personal responsibility in groups.

Bystander Effect

People failing to offer help in emergencies when others are present.

Audience Inhibition

Reluctance to help in the presence of others due to fear of making a social blunder.

Social Influence

Behavior influenced by observing others or pressure from them.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Calculating gains vs. losses when deciding to help.

Obedience

Changing behavior due to influence from an authority figure.

Conformity

Changing behavior to match group norms.

Normative Influence

Conforming to fit in a group due to fear of rejection.

Informational Influence

Conforming because the group is respected and believed to have more knowledge.

Culture

Societal emphasis affecting conformity levels.

Group Size

Larger groups exerting more significant social pressure to conform.

Deindividuation

Loss of personal identification leading to increased conformity.

Social Loafing

Exerting less effort in a group setting compared to working alone.

Unanimity

Strengthening conformity when everyone agrees on a viewpoint or action.

Results of Study

Showed 36% antisocial, 19% nonnormative, 36% neutral, and 9% prosocial responses, with criminal acts being most frequent.

Conformity in Asch's Study

Participants conformed ~1/3 of the time when actors unanimously gave the wrong answer; 75% conformed at least once, dropping when a 'real' participant dissented or answers were private.

Factors Influencing Conformity

Asch's study identified factors like majority size and presence of a dissenter affecting conformity levels.

Informational Influence Model

Asch's study helped develop theories like this model to explain conformity in groups.

Limitations of Asch's Study

Not representative sample, lacks external validity, influenced by 1950s USA's conservative and conformity values.