Microscopically, informational social influence occurs when one turns to the members of ones group to obtain accurate information. A person is most likely to use informational social influence in certain situations: when a situation is ambiguous, people become uncertain about what to do and they are more likely to depend on others for the answer; and during a crisis when immediate action is necessary, in spite of panic. Looking to other people can help ease fears, but unfortunately they are not always right. The more knowledgeable a person is, the more valuable they are as a resource. Thus people often turn to experts for help. But once again people must be careful, as experts can make mistakes too. Informational social influence often results in internalization or private acceptance, where a person genuinely believes that the information is right.
Informational social influence was first documented in Muzafer Sherifs autokinetic experiment. He was interested in how many people change their opinions to bring them in line with the opinion of a group. Participants were placed in a dark room and asked to stare at a small dot of light 15 feet away. They were then asked to estimate the amount it moved. The trick was there was no movement, it was caused by a visual illusion known as the autokinetic effect. Every person perceived different amounts of movement. Over time, the same estimate was agreed on and others conformed to it. Sherif suggested this was a simulation for how social norms develop in a society, providing a common frame of reference for people.
Subsequent experiments were based on more realistic situations. In an eyewitness identification task, participants were shown a suspect individually and then in a lineup of other suspects. They were given one second to identify him, making it a difficult task. One group was told that their input was very important and would be used by the legal community. To the other it was simply a trial. Being more motivated to get the right answer increased the tendency to conform. Those who wanted to be most accurate conformed 51% of the time as opposed to 35% in the other group.
Economists have suggested that fads and trends in society form as the result of individuals making rational choices based on information received from others. These informational cascades form quickly as people decide to ignore their internal signals and go along with what other people are doing. Cascades are presumed fragile, because people are aware that they are based on limited information. This is why fads often end as quickly as they begin.
意大利八城市空气检测出毒品成分
国际英语资讯:Libyas east-based army says launches 13 airstrikes around govt air base
15句最棒的励志名言
飓风桑迪激发的在线幽默
脱发有救了?研究称韩式泡菜饮品可逆转掉发
飓风“桑迪”袭击美国 纽约局部大范围停电
每天8小时不是必需睡眠?
女性40岁戒烟可多活十年
考研折射象牙塔腐败行为
国际英语资讯:Chinese tourists injured in bus accident in Moscow
学英语:中国女性优于男性,整体问题多多
莫言“红高粱”村不复从前,寻根文学何处寻根
研究称大象有4种性格 助其野外生存
朝九晚五上班族:7种方法合理利用下班时间
星巴克推出限定素食月饼
最佳约会时间
新西兰航空《霍比特人》主题安全提示
汤姆·克鲁斯以诽谤罪状告杂志
睡眠的秘密:睡姿揭示不同性格 你是哪一型?
在纸袋内呼吸可减压?11个科学解压的小妙招学起来
奥巴马暂停竞选忙飓风,罗姆尼小心翼翼作旁观
吸血鬼日记历史哥浪漫新恋情 对方是八年前的前女友
越加班越胖:拿什么拯救你,我的过劳肥?
囧研究:周末爱睡懒觉?越睡越懒精神差
大局已定?奥巴马对他的第二任期信心满满
英国人爱上蘑菇 一年吃掉12万吨
国际英语资讯:Iraqi president meets U.S., Iranian ambassadors over regional tensions
跟着名人来读书:盘点全球知名CEO最爱读的书
怎样的美国大选结果对投资者有利?
每个工作日开始时要做的13件事
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |