Definitions for social influence

• Conformity

  The change in a persons behaviour in a group setting in order to fit in
• Compliance

  Lowest level of conformity where a person changes their public behaviour but not private beliefs.

  Short term change
• Identification

  Middle level of conformity, where a person changes public behaviour and private beliefs but only when in presence of group they identify with.

  Short term
• Internalisation

  Deepest levels of conformity where person changes both public behaviour and private beliefs. Long term
• Informational social influence

  Conforming to gain knowledge and to be right. To avoid standing out and to feel confident about beliefs etc.

  its a cognitive process and occurs in an ambiguous or new situation
• Normative social influence

  Conforming to be accepted and belong to a group. To avoid social rejection and be socially rewarded.

  It's an emotional process and occurs when the individual believes theyre under surveillance by the group
• Unanimity

  When opinions of the group are unanimous and everyone agrees
• Social roles

  shared expectations in a group about how particular people are supposed to behave
• Obedience

  Behaviour in compliance with a direct command, often one issued by a person in position of authority.
• Agentic state

  Explanation of obedience that states individuals carry out orders as an agent for a figure of authority, they dont take responsibility for their actions
• Autonomous state

  Where individuals direct their own behaviour and actions, taking responsibility and feeing guilt for what they do.
• Legitimacy of authority

  Individual obeying someone in a perceived higher position of authority or in social hierarchy. Socialisation from childhood teaches us who has authority over us.
• Locus of control

  How much control a person feels they have in their own behaviour
• Internal locus of control

  Someone who has more confidence and needs little approval from others. They believe they have control over their own behaviour and are thus less likely to conform to
• External locus of control

  External factors like luck or fate dictate behaviour. More likely to obey as they are less confident in abilities.
• Social support

  The presence of people who resist pressures to conform or obey can help others to do the same. These people act as models to show others that resistance to social influence is possible.
• Consistency

  Continuing to have same views or messages
• Commitment

  A pledge or promise
• Flexibility


  Adapting a point of view to accept possible opinions.