Understanding Social Influence

Social Influence – Factors Affecting Social Influence

In this course, Dr Ayoub Bouguettaya (University of Birmingham) explores factors affecting social influence. In the first lecture, we think about what social influence is and how to define obedience within it. In the second lecture, we think about Milgram’s research into obedience, with a specific review of variations seven, ten and thirteen. In the third lecture, we think about how gender and culture can impact obedience and influenceability. Next, we think about disobedience in the context of whistleblowing and its differentiation from obedience. In the fifth lecture, we think about how you as a psychologist would go about undertaking a study to explore obedience and disobedience. In the sixth and final lecture, we think about how to conclude on the concepts discussed throughout this course.

Understanding Social Influence

In this lecture, we think about what social influence is, focusing in particular on: (i) a scenario wherein you as a viewer are given an instruction to complete an action; (ii) a discussion around whether the title, association or appearance of the individual giving that instruction impacts the likelihood that you will obey it; (iii) defining social influence and then obedience as a form of social influence; (iv) the importance of understanding social influence in numerous industries, as well as in society; (v) recognising that authority is granted, not taken; (vi) conformity and compliance as two other forms of social influence; (vii) Latané’s publication of social impact theory in 1981; (viii) the three-part breakdown of social impact theory into strength of the influencer, number of sources, and immediacy; (ix) recognising the tendency for some individuals to obey more easily/freely than others.