SIT Theory Criticisms

• Oversimplifies human interaction and is static rather than dynamic, ignores individual difference, disregards active nature of social interaction, and ignores how target/source interact
• Shows more influential conditions but not why (descriptive not explanatory); under certain conditions it has predictive validity but it can't predict what happens between two equal (terms of SIN impact) social groups
• Hofling et al. (1996): Instructions were delivered over the phone but there was still very high obedience, which provides an issue in terms of proximity and immediacy's impact
• Argued it is less useful, explains effect of social influence, not obedience; agency theory arose for obedience, so is more thorough, focuses on social/evolutionary process (explains why obedience exists) not social forces