Social Influences on Behavior

PSY300

Social Influences on Behavior

We live within a social world; it is not surprising that many theorists and researchers have studied what effects the social environment has on the thoughts, emotions, and behavior of the individual. Social psychology is the study of what effects groups have on individuals and how being part of a group affects a person's thinking, feelings, and behavior. Most people like to think of themselves as independent however, a person's behavior is influenced by the viewpoints and actions of the people around him or her, whether or not a person knows him or her. Conformity, obedience, and group process are the different types of influence.

Conformity

"Conformitymeans changing attitudes or behavior to accommodate the...