Prepare For This Journey
Httpswwwyoutubecomwatchvur Plwf4e6wto Prepare For This Journal
To prepare for this journal, watch Social Influence (Links to an external site.) (2017). Reflect on this topic. Specifically, consider concepts other than those covered in discussions and/or assignments. Explain how a particular theoretical perspective applies to your own experience, personal or professional. Describe the social situation in the context of social psychological theory and research, and appraise the factors that impact your behavior as well as the role your own actions play in producing and perpetuating the situation. Your journal should be approximately one single-spaced page and include at least one reference to a required course reading.
Paper For Above instruction
The influence of social psychology on personal behavior is a profound area of study that reveals how societal forces shape individual actions and attitudes. In analyzing the principles from the "Social Influence" video and related course readings, a key theoretical perspective that resonates with my personal experience is conformity, particularly as described by the normative social influence theory (Asch, 1951). This theory posits that individuals often conform to the group to gain approval or avoid rejection, which has been observable in my own life in professional settings.
In my experience working in a collaborative team environment, I noticed that I often adjusted my opinions during meetings to align with the dominant viewpoint, even when my personal beliefs differed. This behavior aligns with the concept of normative social influence, where the desire for social acceptance influences an individual's actions. The social situation was characterized by a hierarchical team structure where dissenting opinions were subtly discouraged, either overtly or through social cues. The presence of authoritative figures and peer pressure created an environment where conformity was the easiest route to maintain group cohesion.
Research in social psychology supports the idea that conformity is heavily influenced by situational factors such as group size, unanimity, and accountability (Bond & Smith, 1990). In my case, the pressure increased with the size of the group and the unanimity of opinions presented. My own actions contributed to the perpetuation of this situation, as conforming reinforced the group’s consensus, making it more challenging for independent thought to emerge. Over time, this dynamic affected decision-making processes and the team's ability to evaluate alternative perspectives objectively.
Understanding this influence has enhanced my awareness of the subtle social forces that drive behavior. Recognizing the power of normative influence prompts me to actively question conformity tendencies and foster environments where diverse opinions are welcomed. This recognition underscores the importance of promoting open dialogue and encouraging dissenting views to counteract social pressures that may lead to conformity for conformity’s sake.
In conclusion, applying social psychological theories, such as normative social influence, to real-world experiences demonstrates how individual behavior is shaped and reinforced within social contexts. This awareness is essential for cultivating personal integrity and ethical decision-making in both professional and personal domains. Future efforts will focus on creating authentic spaces that value individual perspectives, thereby reducing undue conformity and encouraging genuine, diverse discourse.
References
Asch, S. E. (1951). Effects of group pressure on the modification and distortion of judgments. Laboratory research in social psychology, 222-236.
Bond, R., & Smith, P. B. (1990). >Understanding conformity: A review of research on group pressure and social influence. Psychological Bulletin, 108(3), 354–371.
Cialdini, R. B., & Goldstein, N. J. (2004). Social influence: Compliance and conformity. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 591-621.
Kelman, H. C. (1958). Compliance, identification, and internalization: Three processes of attitude change. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 2(1), 51-60.
Moscovici, S. (1985). The persuasion and propaganda. European Journal of Social Psychology, 15(3), 211-227.
Schultz, P. W., et al. (2007). The psychology of social influence in energy use. Scientific American, 297(4), 52-59.
Sherif, M. (1936). The psychology of social norms. Harper.
Turner, J. C. (1991). Social Influence. In P. Bryant & D. V. Corne (Eds.), International Encyclopedia of Communications (pp. 339-344). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Zimbardo, P. G. (1971). The power and pathology of imprisonment. The New York Times Magazine, 11.