Question

What are the three major forms of social influence? Give one example for each.

Short answer

The three major forms of social influence are conformity (changing behaviors or beliefs to fit into a group, like dressing similarly to peers), compliance (changing one's behavior due to a request, such as donating because a friend asked), and obedience (changing behavior in response to an order from an authority, such as following a company dress code).

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the Forms of Social Influence

The three major forms of social influence are conformity, compliance, and obedience. Conformity is the change in behavior or beliefs to match those of others, often to fit in with a group. Compliance is the act of changing one's behavior due to the request or direction of another individual. Obedience is altering behavior in response to an order from an authority figure.

Providing an Example for Conformity

An example of conformity could be when a person decides to wear certain clothes because they notice that it's what everyone else in their peer group is wearing.

Providing an Example for Compliance

An example of compliance might include someone donating to charity because they were asked to do so by a friend, even if they had not planned to donate before.

Providing an Example for Obedience

As for obedience, an example could be an employee following a company dress code even though they would prefer to dress casually, because the policy is part of the company rules set by management.

Key concepts

Understanding Conformity

Conformity is a powerful form of social influence where individuals change their behavior or beliefs to align with those of a group. This behavior is often driven by the innate desire to be accepted or to avoid being noticeably different. In simpler terms, when people conform, they are essentially trying to 'fit in' with a certain group, whether it's friends, colleagues, or wider society.

For instance, you might choose to listen to a certain type of music because it's popular among your friends even if it's not your personal preference. This is an example of conformity because your choice is influenced by the trend within your social circle. It's important to recognize that conformity can be both subtle and explicit, ranging from fashion choices to opinions and behaviors in group settings.

Conformity doesn't always have negative connotations; it can foster unity and social coherence. However, understanding why we conform can help us make decisions that are true to ourselves and resist negative peer pressure.

Compliance Decoded

Compliance refers to the behavior of a person who is inclined to agree to do something because somebody has asked or instructed them to do so, often without any actual authority over them. Unlike obedience, which involves an order from an authority figure, compliance is typically a response to a request, which might not necessarily involve any authority. It is essentially a form of social acquiescence.

An everyday example of compliance is agreeing to sign a petition while walking down the street, due to someone's request. Although you might not have a vested interest in the cause, you decide to comply with the request to be polite or because the person asking has momentarily persuaded you. This type of behavior is common in a variety of social and commercial interactions where we might agree to things, like making donations or making a purchase, simply because we've been asked to, rather than due to a genuine personal conviction.

Obedience Explained

Obedience is the practice of following directions or commands from an authority figure. It's different from conformity and compliance because it's less about fitting into a group or responding to a request, and more about abiding by the rules or orders of someone in a position of power. Often, people obey rules or commands because they recognize the authority of the person making the request, understand the legitimacy of the rules, or fear the consequences of not following them.

A classic example of obedience is adhering to traffic laws when a police officer directs traffic. Even if you are in a hurry, you are likely to stop at the officer's command because of the officer's authority. Obedience plays a critical role in maintaining order and structure in various aspects of society, including institutions, workplaces, and even within families. However, the notion of obedience has been scrutinized in psychological studies, prompting discussions on the limits of obeying orders, especially when it comes to unethical actions.