Social Influence

Chapter summary

The chapter discuses the social influence and how it shaped the individual’s behavior. It defines social influence as the change in behavior that occurs in a person as a result of intentional or unintentional. This might be due to the collectiveness of the individual in the society in general making him or her perceive things differently. Throughout the chapter, it has elaborated some of the key areas of social influence; conformity, obedience and reliance. Conformity is about changing ones behavior to behave like others. This may be as a result of feelings to be belonging to a certain group. Individuals are driven to conformity by their desires to gain the esteem needs within the group.  Compliance is a social influence where a person does something because they are instructed by others. The choice of doing or not doing is determined by the rewards and punishments administered by the group hence will determine the compliance. Obedience is a source of social influence where an individual respects the order given by someone perceived to be superior to him or her. This may be somebody of a higher authority hence there will be a need to respect the command. In obedience as a source of social influence, one does not have other choices or options but to adhere to.