Social Influence And Conformity
Expert-defined terms from the Evolutionary psychology and social psychology course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Affect a person's feelings or emotions that influence their behavior and… #
Related terms: Attitude, emotion, mood. In the context of evolutionary psychology, affect is seen as an adaptive mechanism that helps individuals respond to their environment and ensure their survival and well-being. For example, the fear of rejection can motivate individuals to conform to social norms and avoid social exclusion.
Asch Conformity Experiment a classic study in social psychology that demo… #
Related terms: Conformity, majority influence, social pressure. This study highlights the importance of social influence in shaping individual behavior and decision-making, and how it can lead to irrational choices.
Attitude a person's evaluation or opinion about a particular issue… #
Related terms: Affect, behavior, cognition. In evolutionary psychology, attitudes are seen as a mechanism for evaluating potential mates, allies, or threats, and for making decisions that promote survival and reproduction. For example, a person's attitude towards risk-taking can influence their willingness to engage in adventurous or conservative behaviors.
Behavioral Contagion the spread of behaviors or emotions from one… #
Related terms: Social learning, mimicry, emotional contagion. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in social psychology, where it can lead to the diffusion of innovations or the emergence of social norms. For example, the smiling of a salesperson can influence the customer's mood and increase the likelihood of a purchase.
Cognitive Dissonance a state of tension or discomfort that occurs… #
Related terms: Attitude, behavior, motivation. In evolutionary psychology, cognitive dissonance is seen as a mechanism for resolving conflicts between different motivations or goals, such as the desire for status versus the need for cooperation. For example, a person who values environmentalism but owns a gas-guzzling car may experience cognitive dissonance and be motivated to change their behavior.
Compliance a change in behavior in response to a request or dem… #
Related terms: Obedience, conformity, persuasion. In social psychology, compliance is seen as a mechanism for maintaining social order and avoiding conflict, but it can also lead to unethical or harmful behaviors. For example, a person may comply with a request to lie or cheat in order to avoid social rejection or punishment.
Conformity the tendency to align one's behavior or attitudes with… #
Related terms: Social influence, majority influence, obedience. In evolutionary psychology, conformity is seen as a mechanism for promoting cooperation and group cohesion, but it can also lead to conformity to harmful or maladaptive norms. For example, a person may conform to a group that values aggression or competition, even if it leads to harm to themselves or others.
Deindividuation a state of anonymity or loss of self #
awareness that can occur in groups or crowds, often leading to impulsive or aggressive behavior. Related terms: Group polarization, social identity theory, crowd behavior. In social psychology, deindividuation is seen as a mechanism for reducing self-restraint and increasing impulsive behavior, but it can also lead to harmful or destructive behaviors. For example, a person may engage in vandalism or violence when in a crowd or group, but not when alone or in a small group.
Emotional Contagion the spread of emotions from one person to anot… #
Related terms: Behavioral contagion, mimicry, empathy. In evolutionary psychology, emotional contagion is seen as a mechanism for promoting empathy and cooperation, but it can also lead to the spread of negative or maladaptive emotions. For example, a person may catch the anxiety or fear of another person, leading to increased stress or anxiety.
Group Polarization the tendency for groups to make more extreme… #
Related terms: Social influence, conformity, deindividuation. In social psychology, group polarization is seen as a mechanism for promoting cohesion and unity within groups, but it can also lead to harmful or maladaptive decisions. For example, a group may decide to engage in aggressive or violent behavior, leading to harm to themselves or others.
Groupthink a phenomenon where groups make irrational or … #
Related terms: Social influence, conformity, group polarization. In evolutionary psychology, groupthink is seen as a mechanism for promoting cohesion and unity within groups, but it can also lead to harmful or maladaptive decisions. For example, a group may ignore or downplay criticism or alternative perspectives, leading to poor or disastrous outcomes.
Impression Management the process of presenting oneself to others… #
Related terms: Self-presentation, social identity theory, impression formation. In social psychology, impression management is seen as a mechanism for promoting social acceptance and status, but it can also lead to deception or manipulation of others. For example, a person may present themselves as more confident or competent than they actually are, in order to impress or influence others.
Influence the process of shaping or changing the thoughts,… #
Related terms: Persuasion, manipulation, coercion. In evolutionary psychology, influence is seen as a mechanism for promoting cooperation and mutual benefit, but it can also lead to exploitation or harm to others. For example, a person may use persuasion or manipulation to influence others to do their bidding, even if it is not in the best interest of the other person.
Majority Influence the process by which a majority of people in a… #
Related terms: Social influence, conformity, obedience. In social psychology, majority influence is seen as a mechanism for promoting social cohesion and unity, but it can also lead to conformity to harmful or maladaptive norms. For example, a majority of people may believe in a particular ideology or practice, leading to pressure on others to conform.
Minority Influence the process by which a minority of people in a… #
Related terms: Social influence, innovation, persuasion. In evolutionary psychology, minority influence is seen as a mechanism for promoting innovation and progress, but it can also lead to resistance or opposition from the majority. For example, a minority of people may advocate for a new idea or practice, leading to change or innovation in the group or society.
Normative Influence the process by which social norms can influ… #
In social psychology, normative influence is seen as a mechanism for promoting social cohesion and unity, but it can also lead to conformity to harmful or maladaptive norms. For example, a group may have a norm of aggression or competition, leading to pressure on others to conform to this norm.
Obedience the act of following the orders or instruction… #
Related terms: Conformity, compliance, authority. In evolutionary psychology, obedience is seen as a mechanism for promoting cooperation and social order, but it can also lead to harmful or maladaptive behaviors. For example, a person may obey an authority figure who is abusive or exploitative, leading to harm to themselves or others.
Persuasion the process of influencing the thoughts, feelings, or b… #
Related terms: Influence, manipulation, coercion. In social psychology, persuasion is seen as a mechanism for promoting attitude change and behavioral change, but it can also lead to resistance or opposition from others. For example, a person may use persuasion to influence others to adopt a new idea or practice, but may face resistance or opposition from those who are skeptical or opposed to the idea.
Social Identity Theory the idea that people derive a sense of identity… #
Related terms: Self-concept, group membership, social categorization. In evolutionary psychology, social identity theory is seen as a mechanism for promoting cooperation and group cohesion, but it can also lead to intergroup conflict and prejudice. For example, a person may identify with a particular group or category, leading to positive feelings towards members of that group and negative feelings towards members of other groups.
Social Influence the process by which the thoughts, feelings, or behavior… #
Related terms: Conformity, obedience, persuasion. In social psychology, social influence is seen as a mechanism for promoting social learning and behavioral change, but it can also lead to conformity to harmful or maladaptive norms. For example, a person may be influenced by the behavior or attitudes of others, leading to changes in their own behavior or attitudes.
Social Learning the process of learning new behaviors, attitudes,… #
Related terms: Observational learning, imitation, social influence. In evolutionary psychology, social learning is seen as a mechanism for promoting cultural transmission and innovation, but it can also lead to the spread of harmful or maladaptive behaviors. For example, a person may learn a new skill or behavior by observing or imitating others, but may also learn harmful or maladaptive behaviors through social learning.
Social Norms the unwritten rules or expectations that govern behav… #
Related terms: Norms, social influence, conformity. In social psychology, social norms are seen as a mechanism for promoting social order and cohesion, but they can also lead to conformity to harmful or maladaptive norms.
Social Pressure the feeling of pressure or obligation to co… #
In evolutionary psychology, social pressure is seen as a mechanism for promoting cooperation and group cohesion, but it can also lead to conformity to harmful or maladaptive norms. For example, a person may feel pressure to conform to a group or society that values aggression or competition, leading to harm to themselves or others.