Social Impact Theory

This theory states that the likelihood that a person will respond to social influence will increase with:

• Strength: how important the influencing group of people are to you.
• Immediacy: how close the group are to you (in space and time) at the time of the influence attempt.
• Number: How many people there are in the group.

Increasing the numbers has a decreasing incremental effect (going from 2 to 3 has more effect than going from 66 to 67). In fact beyond four or five, the effect tails off rapidly. This is the Social Influence Model.

The effect is most powerful when everyone in the group (apart from the person being persuaded) clearly agree.

Example
In meetings in the workplace, few will speak out if their opinion differs from the majority.

Application Convince one person about something. Then collaborate with them on persuading a friend (find out first who will most easily be convinced). Then work through the group, one at a time. Also work out through interconnected groups.

When your friends try to persuade you about s

omething, find out who is behind it, and who is just going along with things. Divide and conquer: set up a counter-group. Or expose the situation for what it is.

My Best Friend
My best friend is always there.
When I am sick, he is by my side.
When something good happens he is there to share it.
He is there when I wake up, there when I go to sleep. When I eat, he eats too. When I watch TV he tags along. When I talk on the phone, he listens in. When I have friends over, he is there to greet them at the door. When I am afraid he is there to protect me. When I am angry, he stays out of the way.

Oh, did I mention my best friend is my dog?

Lesson From A Dog

If a dog was the teacher, you would learn stuff like:

- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
- When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
- Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
- Take naps. Stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout! Run right back and make friends.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
- Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.