Sign Up Now
Get instant access to over 1 million+ study documents
OR
Already registered? click here to login
By creating your account, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and student honor code.
The study also asked whether people would develop paranormal beliefs more readily if those in a higher life status than themselves would promote such beliefs.
Social influence refers to changes in feelings, beliefs, values or behaviors that result from the actions of others. Examples of influenced behaviors may include: following orders at work (obedience to authority), dressing like one's peers (conformity to a group), and convincing a friend to change her vote in an upcoming election (persuasion) (Thye, 2002)."
The research study found that most people have developed some belief in a paranormal existence. It further discovered that many of those beliefs were strengthened because of social influence.
Social influence is also used in marketing. When the marketing department of certain products or services are able to convince potential customers that everyone else believes in their particular product or service it is easier to sell the product to the new customers.
The soldiers who were involved in the torture of prisoners were unduly influenced by social influence. The fact that not only their superiors but everyone they were working with seemed to approve of and desire that the prisoners of war receive some form of punishment for what their society stood for helped to coerce the soldiers into the behaviors that occurred.
If one wants to liken it to something easier to understand one can examine the hazing incidents that have made national news in recent years. During those incidences a group of college fraternity members would gather together and begin to coerce a hopeful member into doing something dangerous. When the hopeful member died as a result of the situation the public at large was shocked...
Each of those college students individually may never have done what was done on their own, but once they were pressured through social influence they became changed in their thinking and behavior.
Gangs operate the same way. In addition, positive outcomes have been seen with social influence including the Just Say No programs in schools designed to prevent drug use. In the case of the soldiers, there is no question that they were coerced through social influence to do what they did to those prisoners. They were in stressful circumstances to begin with, in a group of others in the same situation. Their superiors and equals as a group had an attitude of anger and punishment toward the prisoners they were guaring. Individually the soldiers would not have committed such acts of hatred and anger against other humans, but with social influence they individually took part in heinous acts.
This should not mean that they are held individually accountable because individually it would never have happened.
References
Abernathy, Thomas J.(1993) Predicting cigarette smoking among adolescents using cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches. Journal of School Health
Hasenauer, Heike (2004) Righting the wrongs of Abu Ghraib: in January 2004 a concerned military police Soldier at a prison near Baghdad reported what he believed to be a pattern of inappropriate behavior by his fellow MPs. Soldiers Magazine
Paynton, Carolyn F. (1995) the effects of status cues on choices of social power and influence strategies. The Journal of Social Psychology
Thye, Shane R. (2002) Social influence and the power of the pyramid.
Social Media Retailing Applications: Opportunities and Threats How Has Social Media Developed and What are the Benefits and Downsides of Using Social Media for Retailers Today? This study examines social business in general, how it developed and the benefits of using social media in particular. Second, this study provides a discussion concerning the potential positive as well as the effects of social business in the retail sector which is followed by a
Social research involves measuring, describing, explaining and predicting social and economic phenomena. Its objectives include exploring social and economic structures, attitudes, values and behaviors and the factors, which motivate and constrain individuals and groups in society. There are, however, a number of ethical and political concerns that social researchers must be aware of while conducting such research. This paper focuses on and describes some of these valid ethical and political
(2004) Intent and Ordinary Bias: Unintended Thought and Social Motivation Create Casual Prejudice. Social Justice Research, Vol. 17 Issue 2, p117-127, 11p. Retrieved July 7, 2009 from EBSCO online database http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s8h&AN=13079636&loginpage=Login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site Henry, P.J. And Hardin, C. (2006). The Contact Hypothesis Revisited. Status Bias in the Reduction of Implicit Prejudice in the United States and Lebanon. Association of Psychological Science. Vol.1-7 -- Number 10. Retrieved July 7, 2009 from EBSCO online
While he supported me in my endeavors, he raised many questions, >Why do you want to enter social work? How do you think you are going to provide for your family and the lifestyle you are accustomed to?" Deferring to socialization pressures that still impel them to fulfill the "breadwinner" role and avoid feminine characteristics, they may segregate themselves from women in the profession, selecting specialties or positions that
media's influence sexual behaviors values 20 years. Examine sexual behaviors values changed time frame. Investigate types media print, film, music. Consider questions: •How laws changed? •How affected acceptable today vs. acceptable time periods? •How cultures differ media influence? •How cultures differ sexual behaviors values? •How cultures portray sexuality media? Include a minimum 10 scholarly references. That the media exerts a rather dominant influence in the modern world is not debatable.
social media of hotel industry influence consumer purchasing behavior 24/09/2015 Prominent examples of social media Business Use of Social Media Social media and consumer purchasing Role of Social media in Advertising and Marketing Social Media Marketing Evidence of importance of Social Media Marketing Impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Purchasing Behavior The Herding Effect Theory of Social Impact Social Media Influence Factors on Consumers Social Media in the Hotel Industry Social media and Thailand Hotels Approaches to Methodology Outline of research Method Sample