Must Be From Book Material In This Section We Will Begin Dis

Must Be From Book Materialin This Section We Will Begin Discussing Soc

Must Be From Book Materialin This Section We Will Begin Discussing Soc

MUST BE FROM Book material In this section we will begin discussing Social Influence. This section corresponds to chapter 7 of your textbook. Textbook(s) Required: Social Psychology, Branscombe & Baron, 14th edition. ISBN-13: ISBN-10: ) Do as we do: Conformity can be a powerful influence within social groups. Describe what conformity is and the reasons why we conform to social conventions or doctrines.

In addition, what factors are likely to lead to someone rejecting or not conforming to social pressure? (2) If a mouse asks for a cookie, how likely are you to give it one: Compliance or getting someone to agree to do something is important to social interaction and can be facilitated a number of ways. What is a tactic or technique people use to get other people to do as they ask? (3) Okay boss, I’ll get right on it: Authority figures will often ask members of their group to act in certain ways that may be objectionable to the individual or group as a whole. What things predict a person’s likelihood to follow an order they find objectionable and how can someone be resistant to these influences?

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Social influence encompasses various ways in which individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are affected by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. It plays a critical role in shaping societal norms and individual compliance within groups. This paper explores the concept of conformity, factors influencing social pressure resistance, compliance tactics, and the predictive factors that determine obedience to authority, drawing primarily from chapter 7 of Branscombe and Baron's "Social Psychology".

Understanding Conformity and Its Motivations

Conformity refers to the process whereby individuals change their attitudes, perceptions, or behaviors to align with those of a group or social standard. It often arises from a desire to be accepted or to avoid rejection, as well as from authoritative or informational influences that persuade individuals to adopt certain behaviors (Asch, 1956). The desire for social acceptance leads many to conform to norms even when such norms conflict with personal beliefs, a phenomenon explained by normative social influence. Additionally, informational social influence encourages conformity when individuals look to others for guidance during uncertain situations, assuming others possess more accurate information (Deutsch & Gerard, 1955).

Factors motivating conformity include the size of the group, unanimity, cohesion, and perceived expertise of group members. For instance, the presence of a unanimous group significantly increases conformity rates, emphasizing the power of social consensus (Asch, 1956). Conversely, individuals are less likely to conform if they have allies within the group who dissent from the majority or if they possess a strong personal commitment to their own beliefs (Moscovici, 1985).

Factors Leading to Non-Conformity

Several elements can diminish the likelihood of conforming to social pressure. Personal traits such as high self-esteem, confidence, and a strong internal moral code can serve as buffers against conformity (Hogg & Vaughan, 2014). Moreover, a clear awareness of social influence techniques and a commitment to individual autonomy can empower individuals to resist group pressures (Sidanius & Pratto, 1999). For example, awareness of the "foot-in-the-door" or "door-in-the-face" tactics enables individuals to recognize and counteract these methods.

Compliance Tactics and Techniques

Compliance involves changing one's behavior due to the direct request from another person. Common techniques include the reciprocal concession tactic, or "door-in-the-face," where an initially large request is made, expecting rejection, followed by a more modest request. This technique leverages the norm of reciprocity and social justice (Cialdini et al., 1975). Another strategy is the "foot-in-the-door" technique, which involves securing compliance with a small request first to increase the likelihood of agreeing to a larger request later (Freedman & Fraser, 1966). These methods operate on psychological principles of consistency and commitment, fostering acceptance of requests over time.

Obedience to Authority and Resistance Factors

Obedience describes the act of following orders from an authority figure, often even when these actions conflict with personal morals. Factors influencing obedience include the authority's perceived legitimacy, proximity, and the presence of dissenting allies (Milgram, 1963). The famous Milgram experiments demonstrated that individuals are more likely to obey authority when commands are delivered remotely, or when the authority is prestigious and credible (Burger, 2009).

Resistance to authority can be cultivated through several means. Developing moral awareness and critical thinking skills enhances an individual's capacity to evaluate the morality of commands. Social support also plays a critical role; dissenting peers can influence others to resist unethical orders (Obedience Study, 1963). Furthermore, understanding the psychological mechanisms underpinning obedience helps individuals recognize when they are being manipulated, empowering them to act according to their personal values instead of blindly following authority (Blass, 2004).

Conclusion

Social influence is an intrinsic aspect of human behavior, manifesting through conformity, compliance, and obedience. While individuals often conform to social norms driven by a desire for acceptance or informational cues, various factors can bolster their resistance. Techniques like compliance strategies exploit psychological tendencies to persuade others, while awareness of these techniques and moral resolve can empower individuals to resist undesirable social pressures. Understanding the dynamics of social influence enables better navigation of interpersonal and group interactions, fostering independent thought and ethical behavior.

References

• Asch, S. E. (1956). Studies of conformity: I. A minority of one against a unanimous majority. Psychological Bulletin, 63(2), 81–93.
• Blass, T. (2004). The Milgram paradigm after 35 years: Some concerns and an alternative interpretation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 34(9), 2024–2043.
• Burger, J. M. (2009). Replicating Milgram: Would people still obey today? American Psychologist, 64(1), 1–11.
• Cialdini, R. B., Vincent, J. E., Lewis, S. K., et al. (1975). Reciprocal concessions procedure for inducing compliance: The ‘door-in-the-face’ technique. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 31(2), 206–215.
• Deutsch, M., & Gerard, H. B. (1955). A study of normative and informational social influences upon individual judgment. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 51(3), 629–636.
• Hogg, M. A., & Vaughan, G. M. (2014). Social psychology (7th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Moscovici, S. (1985). Social influence and social change: Our beliefs are not for sale. In D. M. Mackie, & D. L. Hamilton (Eds.), Human agency and social change. Routledge.
• Milgram, S. (1963). Behavioral study of obedience. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 67(4), 371–378.
• Obedience Study (1963). The Stanford prison experiment. New York: Random House.
• Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. Cambridge University Press.