Informational social influence is a psychological phenomenon where individuals conform to others' behavior in ambiguous situations to make correct decisions. It's seen in everyday life, from educational settings to professional environments, and is crucial for understanding group dynamics and social norms. Muzafer Sherif's 1935 autokinetic effect experiment provides empirical insights into this process, despite critiques.
Show More
Informational social influence is a key concept in social psychology that describes how individuals conform to the behavior of others in uncertain situations
Prevalence in ambiguous situations
Informational social influence is particularly prevalent in ambiguous situations where the appropriate course of action is unclear
People often rely on the collective knowledge of those around them when uncertain about the correct response or behavior
Conformity refers to the act of adjusting one's beliefs or behaviors to align with those of a group
Discomfort and desire for social acceptance
Conformity is motivated by the discomfort of being at odds with others and the desire to adhere to what is perceived as the group consensus
Managing uncertainty
Conformity serves as a strategy for managing uncertainty in social interactions
Conformity can take various forms, including overt agreement with the opinions of others or subtle behavioral mimicry
Muzafer Sherif's 1935 experiment examined how group norms develop and the role of informational social influence using the autokinetic effect
Convergence of estimates
Sherif observed that individual estimates of the autokinetic effect varied widely, but in a group context, estimates converged, demonstrating the establishment of a group norm influenced by the collective judgments of the participants
Sherif's study highlights the difference between informational and normative social influence, with the former motivated by the desire for accuracy and the latter by the desire for social acceptance
Small group sizes
Critics argue that the small group sizes used in Sherif's experiment may not accurately reflect the dynamics present in larger social groups
Ambiguity of the autokinetic task
The inherent ambiguity of the autokinetic task raises questions about whether the observed convergence of estimates was a true reflection of conformity or simply a result of the experimental conditions
Educational settings
In educational settings, students may look to their peers for cues when unsure of an answer, demonstrating the role of informational social influence
Professional environments
In professional environments, employees may follow the lead of a coworker who disregards safety protocols, assuming such behavior is acceptable due to informational social influence
Social situations
In social situations, individuals often observe others to determine appropriate conduct, such as selecting the correct utensil at a formal dinner or deciding on an appropriate tip at a restaurant, showcasing the pervasive role of informational social influence in daily life
00
In situations lacking clarity, individuals may look to the group's ______ knowledge, assuming it reflects the ______ path.
collective
correct
01
Definition of Conformity
Adjusting beliefs/behaviors to group norms.
02
Forms of Conformity
Includes overt agreement and behavioral mimicry.
