1. By: Ms. Kong
Social Influence

2. How does being in a group change the way we behave?
Social Influence
How does being in a group change the way we behave?

3. Social Influence
The greatest contribution of social psychology is its study of attitudes, beliefs, decisions, and actions and the way they are molded by social influence.
NON SEQUITER © 2000 Wiley. Dist. by Universal
Press Syndicate Reprinted with Permission

4. Copycats Humans are natural mimics
Yawns, laughs, look up….eventually others will follow (Chimps, too)
Columbine High School Shootings, 1999
Every state, except Vermont, experienced copycat violence
Cluster suicides

5. Conformity
Adjusting one’s behavior or thinking to coincide with a group standard/norm
Why do we do it?
To be accepted, liked or just to fit in or to avoid feeling silly

6. Social Norms Unwritten rules about how to behave
Social Norms
Unwritten rules about how to behave
They provide us with an expected idea of how to behave in a particular social group or culture
For example we expect students to arrive to lesson on time and complete their work.
Other examples?

7. Chameleon Effect
Humans natural tendency to mimic others behavior has been coined the chameleon effect.
We unconsciously mock others expressions, postures, and voice tones.

8.
The Asch Effect
Tendency for people to conform, even if they are aware they are incorrect.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007

9. Conformity: The Asch Studies
Which line matches the line on the left? A 1 2 3
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Standard line
Comparison lines

10. Conformity: The Asch Studies
What would you say if you were in a room full of people who all picked line number three? A 1 2 3
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Standard line
Comparison lines

11. Conformity No opposition (control) Correct estimated (percent) 100 8060 40 20
With partner
Alone against majority
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Critical trials 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

12. Solomon Asch Studies
Nearly 75% of the participants went along with the group at least once.
After combining all of the trials: participants conformed to the incorrect
group answer approximately 1/3 of the time.
Just 1 other confederate present = virtually no impact on participants'
answers.
Presence of 2 confederates = only a tiny effect.
The level of conformity seen with 3 or more confederates = far more
significant.
Having 1 of the confederates give the correct answer while the rest of the confederates gave the incorrect answer = dramatically lowered conformity.
(5 to 10% of the participants conformed to the rest of group)
Later studies supported this finding (Morris & Miller, 1975), suggesting:
Having social support is an important tool in combating conformity

13. Conditions That Strengthen Conformity
When one is made to feel incompetent or insecure.
The group has at least three people.
The group is unanimous…the dissent of just one other person greatly increases social courage.
When one admires the groups status and attractiveness.
When one has made no prior commitment to any response.
Others in the group observe one’s behavior.
Ones culture strongly encourages respect fro social standards.

14. Reasons for Conforming
Normative Social Influence = influence resulting from a persons desire to gain approval or avoid disapproval
Informational Social Influence = influence resulting from one’s willingness to accept others opinions about reality (We think the group is right)

15. Wrap-up In what ways do people “conform” as teenagers?
To groups?
To norms? Why do social norms exist?
Is conformity always a bad thing?

16. Courtesy of CUNY Graduate School and University Center
Obedience
People comply to social pressures. How would they respond to outright command?
Stanley Milgram designed a study that investigates the effects of authority on obedience.
Courtesy of CUNY Graduate School and University Center
Stanley Milgram
( )

17. Milgram’s Study
Many psychiatrist predicted that most people would stop soon after the first indication of pain.
Both Photos: © 1965 By Stanley Miligram, from the
film Obedience, dist. by Penn State, Media Sales

18. Milgram’s Study: Results

19. Results of Milgram’s Experiment
Men between complied fully 63% of the time—right up to the last switch
Later women were involved in the experiment…the results were similar to men
Real world correlations
Nazi Holocaust
Exceptions  those that did not bow to authority
Anne Frank protectors
Danes rescuing their Jews by sending them to Sweden

20. Conditions That Strengthen the Influence of Obedience
Person giving orders was close at hand and appeared to be a legitimate authority figure.
When the authority figure is supported by a prestigious institution.
When the victim was depersonalized or at a distance.
There are no role models for defiance.

21. RECAP
As human beings we are constantly trying to conform to the social norms
We conform because we believe others are correct or we want to be accepted
Asch Study – conform when groups are bigger and social support is an important tool in combating conformity
Milgram’s study shows that people will go through great lengths to listen to an authority figure
Can explain actions of Nazi soldiers

22. How do groups affect our behavior?
Group Influence
How do groups affect our behavior?

23. Social Facilitation
The improved performance of tasks in the presence of others.
When is social facilitation most noticeable?
When the tasks are simple or well learned, mastered tasks
e.g. Runners who run in a group have faster times than when running alone

24. Social Facilitation Cont’d
How does social facilitation explain home field advantage in sports?

25. Social Loafing
The tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts towards attaining a common goal than when individually accountable.
Tendency to expend less effort when part of a large group
Why do you think that social loafing occurs?
When people are part of a group the feel less accountable

26. Deindividuation
The loss of self awareness and self restraint occurring in group situations that foster arousal and anonymity.
When is deindividuation most likely to occur?

27. Group Polarization
Group Polarization – The enhancement of a groups prevailing attitudes through discussion within the group.
In what situation is group polarization most likely to happen?

28. Group Think
Group Think – A mode of thinking that occurs when the desire for harmony in a decision-making group overrides the realistic appraisal of alternatives
Pressure to conform to group makes everyone in the group have same beliefs and attitudes

29. How do you resist group think?
Assign people to identify problems
Be open to and welcome various opinions
Invite experts to critique plans in various stages of development

30. We also influence ourselves
The Power of the Individual can be stronger than a group.

31. The Power of Individuals
When feeling pressured many people may react by doing the opposite of what is expected.
Minority Influence – Throughout history, individuals have had a tremendous effect on groups by staying firm to beliefs
Ex. Rosa Parks and Gandhi

32. Self-Fulfilling Prophecies
Occurs when one person’s belief about others leads one to act in ways that induce the others to appear to confirm the belief.
If you think someone finds you attractive, they more likely will!!!