Study Notes on Social Influence Concepts

Social Influence

• Definition: Social influence refers to the way individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are affected by others. It encompasses various social phenomena, including compliance, conformity, and obedience.

Key Concepts in Social Influence

Aggression

• Aggression is defined as any behavior that is intended to harm another individual. Different theories and factors contribute to understanding aggression in social contexts.

Altruism

• Altruism is the selfless concern for the well-being of others. Factors influencing altruistic behavior include empathy, moral principles, and social norms.

Bystander Effect

• Definition: The bystander effect is a social psychological phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present.

• Factors: The presence of others can lead to the diffusion of responsibility, where individuals feel less inclined to act, believing someone else will.

Compliance

• Compliance occurs when individuals change their behavior in response to a direct request from another person. This can happen without a change in personal beliefs or attitudes.

Conformity

• Definition: Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to group norms.

• Types:

  • Public Conformity: Changing behavior publicly but not internally agreeing with the group.

  • Private Acceptance: Conforming to group norms both publicly and privately, truly believing in the group's values.

Deindividuation

• Definition: Deindividuation is a psychological state characterized by a decreased self-awareness and a tendency to engage in atypical behaviors when part of a group.

• Implications: This can lead to increased aggression and decreased inhibition in crowds.

Norms

• Descriptive Norms: Perceptions of how others behave in a specific situation, which can guide social behavior.

• Injunctive Norms: Perceptions of what behaviors are approved or disapproved by the group.

Obedience

• Definition: Obedience is the act of following direct commands from an authority figure.

Social Behavior Theories

Social Exchange Theory

• Definition: This theory posits that human relationships are formed by the use of a cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives. Individuals seek to maximize benefits while minimizing costs.

Social Facilitation and Social Impairment

• Social Facilitation: The increased performance on tasks in the presence of others.

• Social Impairment: The reduction of performance on tasks due to the presence of others when the task is complex or unfamiliar.

Social Loafing

• Definition: Social loafing refers to the tendency for individuals to put in less effort when working in a group compared to working alone.

Social Responsibility Norm

• Definition: A societal expectation that individuals will help others in need.

Social Scripts

• Definition: Social scripts are automatic behaviors or actions that individuals follow in specific social situations. They are learned and guide how individuals interact and respond in different contexts.

Frustration-Aggression Principle

• Definition: The frustration-aggression principle states that aggression is often the result of frustration, which occurs when an individual is blocked from achieving a goal.