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Social Influence Theory explains the impact of social influence on individuals through three processes of influence acceptance, namely compliance, identification and internalisation, and considers the conditions necessary for these processes to occur.
- Social Influence Theory Definition and Overview
- Kelman’s Social Influence Processes Explained
- Deutsch and Gerard’s Social Influence Causes Explained
- Social Influence Theory Examples
- Critiques and Limitations of Social Influence Theory
- Other Social Influence Concepts in Psychology
- Conclusion
- References
Social influence theory can be defined as a theory which explores and explains how people are influenced by their social networks. A simple definition from the scholarly literature is provided below: I will briefly present the ideas of Kelman (1950) and Deutsch and Gerard (1955) to provide an overview of the theory, before exploring each concept in...
The theory of social influence is composed of three main components: conformity, compliance, and obedience.
1. Normative Social Influence
Normative social influenceoccurs when people conform as a part of desire to be seen as part of an in-group. This desire to fit into a group can lead individuals to change their behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs to match the social normsof the group (Collado, Staats & Sancho, 2019). This may even when these norms contradict their personal views or moral judgments (see also: deindividuation). The fear of social rejection or being viewed as different often drives normative social influence.
2. Informational Social Influence
Informational social influence occurs when individuals align their attitudes, beliefs, or behaviors to match those of a reference groupor community that they perceive to have collective wisdom worth conforming to. This type of social influence is grounded in the notion that, when an individual is uncertain about how to behave or think, they will look to the people around them to see what they think. This helps them get an anchoring point around what is the general or collective wisdom, which...
Social influence theory plays out in many ways across various aspects of our lives. Here are twelver examples, categorized based upon the theory’s typologies explored above: 1. Workplace Dress Code (Normative-compliance):An employee dresses formally in an office where everyone does so, not because they prefer formal attire, but because they want to...
While social influence theory provides valuable insights into human behavior, it is not without its critiques and limitations.
A number of theorists have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of social influence from other social psychology perspectives. Among the most influential are Leon Festinger, Solomon Asch, and Stanley Milgram.
As we look towards the future, emerging areas of research such as online social influence, the impact of social media, and the influence of artificial intelligence present new frontiers for the exploration of social influence theory. Additionally, societal changes, like an increased emphasis on individualism or the role of virtual communities, may ...
Asch, S. E. (1956). Studies of independence and conformity: I. A minority of one against a unanimous majority. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 70(9), 1-70. Blass, T. (2017). Understanding behavior in the Milgram obedience experiment: The role of personality, situations, and their interactions. Journal of Personality and Social Psycho...
- Conflict Theory. Type of Theory: Macrosociology. Conflict Theory proposes that society is marked by ongoing struggles for resources and power, resulting in social inequalities.
- Functionalism. Type of Theory: Macrosociology. Definition: Functionalism considers society as a complex system of interdependent parts, each having a function fulfilling societal stability.
- Symbolic Interactionism. Type of Theory: Microsociology. Symbolic Interactionism emphasizes how individuals use symbols to navigate social interactions and create social worlds.
- Social Exchange Theory. Type of Theory: Microsociology. Social Exchange Theory postulates that human relationships and interactions are guided by a cost-benefit analysis and the pursuit of rewards.
Jun 8, 2023 · We have outlined influence theory with a primary eye to psychological, social psychological, and sociological influence in which are agents are taken as people. Influence arises in an interaction between agents, when what is done by the one evokes a reaction in the other.
In sociology, a theory is a way to tentatively explain different aspects of social interactions and create testable propositions about society (Allan, 2006). For example, Durkheim’s proposition that differences in suicide rate can be explained by differences in the degree of social integration in different communities is a theory.
1.4 Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology . Learning Objectives. By the end of this section you should be able to: Describe the ways that sociological theories are used to explain social institutions. Differentiate between structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
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Feb 13, 2024 · Emile Durkheim's Theory. Introduction. Functionalism. Division of Labor. Anomie. Applications and Legacy. Emile Durkheim, often called the “father of sociology” believed that society is composed of structures that function together, and that society has a structure of its own apart from the individuals within it. Introduction.
