AS Psychology: Social Influence
1- Introduction and
Majority Influence
S.W.G.S.
Psychology Department
What is Social influence?
“The influence of a group or an individual to
modify the thinking, attitudes and / or
behaviour of others”
• Can you think of any examples of social
influence in your own lives or in the
media?
• Was the influence exerted by large groups
on smaller groups, by groups on
individuals, or the other way around?
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
SYLLABUS TOPICS
Critical Issue:
Ethical Issues in
Psychological
Research
Majority and
Minority Influence
Obedience to
authority
MAJORITY INFLUENCE OR CONFORMITY
3 TYPES OF CONFORMING BEHAVIOUR (Kelman)
Compliance
Identification
Internalisation
Accepting views of
majority despite not really
agreeing with them
Conforming to what is
expected of one in a
given role
Conforming because
of real agreement with
those who influence
2 TYPES OF SOCIAL INFLUENCE
Informational influence
Influence due to the perceived
superior judgement or knowledge
of others
Probably leads to
internalisation
Normative Influence
Influence due to wanting to be liked
/ respected by other members of the
group
May lead to
compliance
Which type of influence leads to
identification?
Studies on majority influence….
Asch
Sherif
X
A
B
C
Jennes
s
….. & internalisation of social roles
Zimbardo: the
Stanford Prison
Experiment