Psychology 2720A/B Chapter 7: Chapter 7

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2720A/B
• Professor: Joel Armstrong

Document Summary

Factor that influences social influence: how important is it to the individual to be accurate at the task: when convinced its important, they are more likely to conform. 3 kinds of situations most likely to provide conformity because of informational social influence: ambiguous situations, crises, situations in which an expert is present. When the situation is ambiguous if you are unsure of the correct response, appropriate behaviour or right idea, you will be most open to influence from others. More uncertain you are, more you will rely on others. When the situation is a crisis, we usually do not have time to stop and think about exactly which course of action we should take contagion: rapid transmissions of emotions or behaviour through a crowd. When other people are experts typically, the more expensive or knowledge a person has, the more valuable he or she will be as a guide in an ambiguous or crisis situation.