Topic 5: Social influence Study Guide

Social influence refers to the ways in which individuals change their behaviour or attitudes due to the presence and influence of others. This can manifest in several forms, including obedience, conformity, deindividuation, and the bystander effect. Obedience involves following direct orders from an authority figure, even if those orders conflict with one's personal morals. Conformity, on the other hand, is the act of aligning one's behaviour or beliefs with a group's standards or expectations, often without a direct command. Deindividuation occurs when individuals lose their sense of personal identity and responsibility within a group, often leading to uncharacteristic or impulsive behaviour. The bystander effect describes the phenomenon where individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. These concepts are crucial for understanding how social contexts shape individual actions and social interactions.