Social Influence

Social influence is when the actions or thoughts of individual(s) are changed by other individual(s). Examples of social influence can be seen in socialization and peer pressure.

In the case of peer pressure, a person might be forced into doing something (such as going to an opera) he might not like but is "necessary" to upkeep the positive relationship with the other party, such as the family of their partner. The person could agree to the offering even if he hated it because of many reasons; maybe he is the possible inheritor of the family/person that asks him to come to the opera, the family could want to evaluate the person before letting their son/daughter get married with him/her, etc.

Social influence can also be described by the word power, which means to possess the ability to embrace a person/group of people to one's own will. Usually people of good genes (looks), significant sums of money, good jobs and so on will possess social influence on other, "ordinary" people. So even if the person doesn't possess any "real" or political power but possessed the things listed above (good looks, money, etc.), he could persuade other people into doing/saying something.

An example would be movie stars, who don't (usually) possess any political power but are familiar to many of the world's citizens and therefore possess social status. They get a lot of media coverage, they are admired in television shows and they have many enthusiastic fans.

There are 3 components of social influence. They are:

1. Conformity : It is a type of social influence in which individuals change their attitudes or behaviour in order to adhere to existing social norms.
2. Compliance : A form of social influence involving direct request from one person to another.
3. Obedience : A form of social influence in which one person obeys direct orders from another to perform some action(s).

Research

Solomon Asch showed how a person could be influenced by others in a group to claim that a clearly shorter line in a group of lines was, in fact, the longest.

Stanley Milgram did classic experiments in obedience, where people off the street obeyed orders to give (what they thought were) life-threatening electric shocks to other people.

Example

You ask me to pass the salt. I comply by giving it to you.

You tell me to pass the salt. I obey by giving it to you.

I notice that people are using salt and passing it to the person on their left without comment. I conform by doing likewise.

Application

Social Psychology includes a large domain of knowledge around Social Influence. This provides a powerful basis through which to persuade others.

Understand the psychology of social influence and how you respond to it. Notice yourself in social situations. Also notice how others are deliberately or unconsciously influencing you. Then choose how you will respond.

Having enthusiasm

Having enthusiasm in performing any task gives you an abundance of energy. Showing enthusiasm also motivates others around you.

An acronym for enthusiasm:

E nergy

N imble

T enacious

H appy

U nbeatable

S elf-confidence

I nexhaustible

A chievable

S uccess

M otivated

Put lots of enthusiasm in all you do!