What are the two major kinds of social influence?

Zoe Martin | 2023-06-09 20:13:02 | page views:1480
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Charlotte Young

Studied at the University of Johannesburg, Lives in Johannesburg, South Africa.
As an expert in the field of social psychology, I have spent considerable time studying the ways in which individuals are influenced by the social context in which they find themselves. Social influence is a pervasive phenomenon that can manifest in various forms. It is the process by which the thoughts, feelings, or behaviors of an individual are affected by the presence, actions, or language of others. Understanding the nuances of social influence is crucial for comprehending how societies function and how individuals interact within them.

There are two major kinds of social influence that are widely recognized and studied: conformity and compliance. Additionally, obedience is sometimes considered a third type, but for the purpose of this discussion, I will focus on the first two as they are the primary forms.

Conformity is the act of changing one's behavior, attitudes, or beliefs to align with those of a group. This type of social influence is often subtle and may not involve direct pressure from others. Conformity can be further divided into two categories: normative and informational.


1. Normative Conformity occurs when an individual conforms to the group to gain social acceptance or to avoid social rejection. People may change their behavior to fit in with the group norms, even if they do not personally agree with those norms.


2. Informational Conformity happens when individuals conform because they believe the group has the correct information. In uncertain situations, people often look to the behavior of others to determine the appropriate response.

Compliance, on the other hand, is the act of changing one's behavior in response to an explicit request or demand from another person. Compliance is more overt and direct compared to conformity. It involves yielding to the requests of others, which can be due to a desire to maintain a positive relationship, a fear of negative consequences, or a sense of obligation.

Compliance can also be categorized into two types:


1. Voluntary Compliance is when a person chooses to comply with a request because they believe it is the right thing to do or because they want to maintain a good relationship with the requester.


2. Reactance-based Compliance occurs when an individual complies with a request to avoid negative consequences or to reduce the feeling of reactance, which is the psychological state that arises when someone feels their freedom is being threatened.

Both conformity and compliance are important aspects of social influence that can have profound effects on individual behavior and decision-making. They are not inherently negative; in fact, they can be beneficial in promoting social harmony and cooperation. However, they can also be exploited to manipulate individuals into behaving in ways that are not in their best interests.

Understanding these mechanisms of social influence is essential for individuals to maintain their autonomy and make decisions that are truly reflective of their own beliefs and values. It is also crucial for policymakers and leaders who aim to create a society that respects individual rights and freedoms while fostering a sense of community and collective well-being.


2024-05-12 07:40:54

Oliver Bell

Works at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Lives in Vienna, Austria.
There are three types of social influence. Conformity involves a change in a person's attitudes or behavior in response to (often implicit) pressure from others. Compliance involves going along with explicit requests made by others. Finally, obedience involves giving in to the commands of an authority.
2023-06-14 20:13:02

Madison Patel

QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
There are three types of social influence. Conformity involves a change in a person's attitudes or behavior in response to (often implicit) pressure from others. Compliance involves going along with explicit requests made by others. Finally, obedience involves giving in to the commands of an authority.
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