When encountering a new or unexpected in-group
 norm, individuals will shift their political views in the direction of conformity with
 the majority

In-Group Conformity 

Informational social influence occurs when individuals conform because they believe the group is competent and possesses accurate information. This type of influence is particularly strong in ambiguous situations where the correct course of action is unclear and individuals rely on the group for guidance.

Informational Social Influence

The Asch effect describes the phenomenon where a group majority's opinion influences an individual's judgment.

Asch Effect

Normative social influence drives individuals to conform with group norms in order to fit in, feel good, and gain acceptance. This type of conformity is motivated by a desire for social approval and to avoid ridicule, rather than a belief that the group's actions are necessarily correct.

Normative Social Influence

Groupthink is the modification of the opinions of members of a group to align with what they believe is the group consensus (Janis, 1972). In group situations, the group often takes action that individuals would not perform outside the group setting because groups make more extreme decisions than individuals do. Moreover, groupthink can hinder opposing trains of thought. This elimination of diverse opinions contributes to faulty decision by the group.

Groupthink

Social loafing is a psychological phenomenon characterized by a reduction in individual effort and output when working on tasks where contributions are pooled within a group. This is in contrast to the level of effort an individual would typically exert when working alone.

Social Loafing

People in crowds typically observe the actions of those around them and adjust their own behavior accordingly. For instance, individuals attending an academic lecture generally remain quiet and attentive, matching the subdued demeanor of the audience. Conversely, attendees at a rock concert may engage in dancing, singing, or crowd surfing, mirroring the energetic and expressive behavior of the surrounding crowd.

Example of Social Cues in Crowds

Conformity refers to a change in behavior to match the actions or responses of others in order to “fit in," despite not necessarily agreeing with the actions of others.

New York University

Google

University of Chicago

Michigan State University

Social influence refers to the power of a social situation to alter an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This phenomenon, driven by real or imagined pressure from others, is demonstrated through key topics such as conformity, obedience, and group processes.

Social Influence

A work team can be inefficient due to a variety of reasons. Some of the possibilities are

- Poor communication
- Comformity effects
- Conflict of interests among members

Work Team Inefficiency

Gilovich, Thomas, Dacher Keltner, Serena Chen, and Richard E. Nisbett. Social Psychology, 2019. Print.

Social Psychology: Goals in Interaction

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Conformity

The mistaken impression that people in a group largely accept a norm because the group members are acting inconsistently or against their beliefs. 

Pluralistic Ignorance

Social influence reduces diversity in crowd responses which diminishes the accuracy of the group median estimate.

The Social Influence Effect in Relation to Crowd Estimates


A study to test the hypothesis that online social network can influence political behaviour. 

A 61- million- person experiment in social influence and political mobilization 

Houck, A. M., King, A. S., &amp; Taylor, J. B. (2021). Updating with others: Testing the effect of informational social influence on political attitudes. Politics &amp; Policy, 49(1), 87–125. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12394 

Updating with Others: Testing the Effect of
Informational Social Influence on Political
Attitudes

The perception of common agreement amongst people, also called "social proof."

Social Consensus

Through a process, ideas and behaviors that could be considered outside social norms come to be accepted as "normal". 

Social Normalization 

The ability to understand others’ perspectives and empathize with them, even when they are from varied backgrounds.

Social Awareness

When individuals find themselves in a new or uncertain situation where the appropriate way to behave is unclear, they tend to observe the actions of others to guide their own behavior. This reliance on social cues is a key mechanism through which people navigate unfamiliar social environments and align their actions with the group.

Using Social Cues in Ambiguous Situations

Group processes are a key area within social psychology that illustrates how the dynamics of a social situation can significantly change an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This topic, along with conformity and obedience, exemplifies the broader concept of social influence.

Group Processes

Obedience is the act of changing one's behavior to comply with an order from an authority figure. This influence is so powerful that individuals may follow directives even when they conflict with their personal values.

Obedience

Human social interactions can be categorized by their dual nature, leading to both positive and negative outcomes. People may collaborate for the greater good, such as providing mutual aid during crises, but they can also cause significant harm through aggression, adherence to immoral group norms, or destructive obedience to authority.

Duality of Social Behavior

Analyze the following scenario and explain the primary psychological reason for the change in Alex's actions, based on how social situations can alter individual behavior.

Navigating Unspoken Office Norms

Compliance is the act of going along with a request or demand, even if one privately disagrees with it. For example, changing a public vote to match peers while secretly holding a different preference is an instance of compliance. It often manifests as a specific form of conformity.

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