Sociology 2233 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Social Proof, Normative Social Influence, Mass Psychogenic Illness

• School: Western University
• Department: Sociology
• Course: Sociology 2233
• Professor: Richard Sorrentino

Document Summary

Conformity: a change in behaviour as a result of the real or imagined influence of other people. Informational social influence: conforming because we believe that others interpretation of an ambiguous situation is more correct than ours and will help us choose an appropriate course of action. Private acceptance: conforming to other people"s behaviour out of a genuine belief that what they are doing or saying is right. Public compliance: conforming to other people"s behaviour publicly, without necessarily believing in what they are doing or saying. Informational social influence is pervasive in our day-to-day lives. Mass psychogenic illness: the occurrence of similar physical symptoms in a group of people for which there is no known physical or medical cause. Symptoms brought on by anxiety over a possible chemical attack vancouver mystery bus incident where there was in fact, no chemical attack.