An Analysis of Social Influence: Psychology of Human Behavior

This essay delves into the multifaceted realm of social influence within the field of psychology, examining its profound impact on human behavior. It begins by defining and differentiating various forms of social influence, including conformity, compliance, and obedience, highlighting the underlying ps...Read More

Psychology

Table of Contents
Different forms of social influence..................................................................................................3
Methods used to study social influence and behaviour of humans .................................................4
Development of arguments related to social influence:...................................................................5
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................................7

Psychology is referred to study which focuses on human behaviour, mind and all other
aspects related to discipline. Psychology should not be confused with other similar terms such as
phycology, physiology and psychiatry (Miller and Prentice, 2013). It is also considered as one of the
branches of applied science which deals with understanding different behaviours exerted by human
during various situations. They generally study all the aspects by implementing theories, researches
and case studies so that they are easily understood by psychologists. They mainly focus on
examining the level of attention, emotion, intelligence, wisdom, brain functions and personality
which are considered as the prime orientation of psychological studies.
The essay will focus on different forms of social influences which exist in today's world.
Further it will also focus on various methods which are used by psychologist to study them
effectively. Lastly it will also include theories and approaches related to psychological studies.
Different forms of social influence
Every individual who exist in this world is impacted or influenced by some other individual
who is considered superior to them. Different people have various influences depending upon the
bonding and space they share between themselves (Lane, 2014). Although the impact of social
influence on all people may be of different types but there are certain factors which distinguish all
types of social influences from each other. For studying different social influence it is necessary to
consider that every human who is living in this society have behavioural, emotional and habitual
changes that takes place depending upon the situations and conditions. Social influence can be
broadly discussed under three major subheadings which are conformity, compliance and obedience
(Types of Social Influence, 2016).
Conformity, is the need to agree with the views and thoughts of other individual irrespective
of the consequences which can occur. Every human being has a tendency to bring about changes in
their behaviours, emotions, feeling and habits for adjusting with people or groups whom they think
they are superior to them (Dimsdale and Baum, 2013). Conformity can also be categorized under
two types of social influence. Firstly, the informational social influence develops a perception of
negativity or underestimation in the minds of individual who think of performing different task on
their own. When a person encounters certain situation for the first time he/she is not aware about the
right course of action to be taken which can solve the situation. In such conditions we tend to seek
help from other individual who already have a social influence on our lives. An assumption is
generated that the superior person possess more knowledge and understanding which can solve the
current issue easily (Muchnik, Aral and Taylor, 2013). Secondly the normative social influence in
society is the urge to be liked by others who are influential in lives of different people. Most of the
time we start changing our behavioural patterns, habits and likes just to satisfy other people. The
level of normative social influence on a person can be assumed by the degree of influence a person

has created in minds of other individual.
Sooner or later in life, a point is achieved when we start complying according to the needs of
other individuals who matter in our lives. Either we follow the lifestyles or perceptions of other
people so that we are liked by them or we become submissive towards the superior person due to
the development of intimidation, social rejections or failures at different stages of life (Cheng and
et.al, 2013). Complying with others desire and thoughts can bring about change in behaviour for
long term but the attitude of an individual do not change even if normative behaviour has an impact
on a person's life. Persuasion is often needed to get others comply according to their desires and
requirements.
Apart from conformity and compliance exhibited by individuals there is yet another form of
social influence which is known as obedience. Obedience can also be linked to commands because
unlike conformity and compliance a person do not have any options of disagreeing with the choice
that are available (Albert, Chein and Steinberg, 2013). In conformity and compliance a person has
an option of agreeing or disagreeing according to the comfortability level but in obedience they do
not have any any choice and one has to agree irrespective of any prevailing circumstances.
Obedience is generally categorized under constructive and destructive obediences
Methods used to study social influence and behaviour of humans
Psychologists use different methods and approaches to study the social influence and
behaviour of humans. It also helps in developing different theories and practices which can easily
problems and issues related to human behaviour. There are various methods which are implemented
by psychologist to study impact of social denominators on a persons life (Hinduja and Patchin,
2013). They are observational, experimentation, case studies and survey. In observational study
method a person or group of individuals is generally observed of their different activities in public
or other areas. When we visit a market place or any other crowded place we tend to observe people
which are performing different activities based on their behaviour and perceptions. Many times it
happens that we find other's activity and task unusual because we have not performed any such
activities. This is known as observation method. Another method of study which is adopted by
psychologists are experimentation method. This study method contains two variables. One is
regarded as the independent and the other one is known as the dependant variable. The independent
variable is controlled in various ways by the experimenter (Van Manen, 2015). They are
manipulated and controlled by different actions so that they can easily study the impact of
independent variable on the dependant one. The psychologist also considers issues and wills which
are not under the control of both the variables. These are also known as relevant variables. Yet
another method which is used by psychologist to study the social influence is by adopting case
studies. This technique is considered as one of the most effective method which have its own

importance in studying different behavioural patterns (Rand, Greene and Nowak, 2012). Many
times it is observed that a physician or other care professional maintains a detailed account of
family history, medical history and other issues which are exhibited or felt by an individual. The
main purpose of recording such information is that it becomes more easy for all the psychologists
to study different behaviours, interactional patterns, personal and professional choices and
perceptions on various issues. This method is one of the most suited methods of study in clinical
psychology developmental psychology. Survey method is also a very common method which is
used in different fields to gather opinion of different individuals on various issues. Almost major
part of population is aware of survey techniques (Linscott and Van Os, 2013). Social media,
television and other news channel often ask all the viewers and listeners to provide a message on
several issues so that they are able to collect variations in perceptions. This helps in building strong
communication between society members. In psychological surveying the psychologists study the
difference in behaviour, emotions, attitude and beliefs of selected individuals so that they are able to
draw suitable conclusion and results. The best example of surveying method is that when a certain
attack or influencing issue takes place in any part of the world. The media tends to collect different
information and opinions related to the incident. Either they directly contact the participants or they
conduct a interview sessions so that they can easily understand the thoughts and beliefs behind the
incident effectively.
Development of arguments related to social influence:
In an experiment conducted by different psychologists they needed to analyse the extent of
conformity that is achieved due to social pressure. The results which were obtained after the the
experiments showed that more than 75% of participants conformed at least once (Methods of
Studying Human Behaviour, 2016). An interview after the experiments revealed that many
individuals conformed according different members in a group while some expressed that they
genuinely felt that the answers to those questions were right. This argument illustrated the
normative conformity influence which is subjected to be liked by others. In yet another experiment
related to obedience, major percentage of participant agreed to the options because they developed
the fear of facing negative consequences which can affect their normal living styles and patterns
(Lane, 2014). This experiment also shows that how a person is influenced by other people around
them just to gain acceptance In particular group or society. This also figured out the level of
authority exhibited in obedience level of social influence.
The essay produced a detailed information on the presence of different types of social
influence which have impact on human behaviour in some or the other way. It also included
methods which are used by psychologist tom study the behavioural approach due to social
influence.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Albert, D., Chein, J. and Steinberg, L., 2013. The teenage brain peer influences on adolescent
decision making. Current directions in psychological science. 22(2). pp.114-120.
Cheng, J.T. and et.al., 2013. Two ways to the top: Evidence that dominance and prestige are distinct
yet viable avenues to social rank and influence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
104(1). p.103.
Dimsdale, J.E. and Baum, A.S., 2013. Quality of life in behavioral medicine research. Psychology
Press.
Hinduja, S. and Patchin, J.W., 2013. Social influences on cyberbullying behaviors among middle
and high school students. Journal of youth and adolescence. 42(5). pp.711-722.
Lane, R.C., 2014. Psychoanalytic approaches to supervision. Routledge.
Linscott, R.J. and Van Os, J., 2013. An updated and conservative systematic review and meta-
analysis of epidemiological evidence on psychotic experiences in children and adults: on the
pathway from proneness to persistence to dimensional expression across mental disorders.
Psychological medicine. 43(06). pp.1133-1149.
Miller, D.T. and Prentice, D.A., 2013. Psychological levers of behavior change. Behavioral
foundations of policy. pp.301-309.
Muchnik, L., Aral, S. and Taylor, S.J., 2013. Social influence bias: A randomized experiment.
Science. 341(6146). pp.647-651.
Rand, D.G., Greene, J.D. and Nowak, M.A., 2012. Spontaneous giving and calculated greed.
Nature. 489(7416). pp.427-430.
Van Manen, M., 2015. Researching lived experience: Human science for an action sensitive
pedagogy. Left Coast Press.
Online
Types of Social Influence. 2016 [Online] Available through: <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-
of-social-influence.html>. [Accessed on 13th April 2016].
Methods of Studying Human Behaviour. 2016 [Online] Available through:
<http://www.psychologydiscussion.net/behaviour/7-methods-of-studying-human-behaviour/
540>. [Accessed on 13th April 2016].