Social Impact Theory

Created by: TaraCBeckworth
Created on: 10-05-16 16:10

Who proposed this theory?

Latane (1981)

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Briefly describe the theory

People are influenced by others; people can persuade, threaten or support us (Sources-Impacter), which effects how we act (The Target)

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What are the 3 factors that effect SI?

Strength (The level of authority) Immediacy (Proximity of the source to target) Number (the amount of sources to targets)

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What is the divisional effect?

The more targets to source divides the ability for the source to persuade per person

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What is the multiplication effect?

Strength, immediacy and number only has a multiplication effect up to a certain point

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Supporting evidence to the theory

Milgrams variation study (Experiment 7) where telephonic instructions were given, the telephone acts as a buffer (Immediacy), also one of his other variations, they added a peer who disobeyed and obedience dropped to 10%

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Other Explanations

The theory doesn't address individual differences, so it could be a factor of personality and not social impact whether we conform or not

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Usefulness

Limited application, doesn't explain what would happed in targets and source had equal SIN, e.g. football games with opposing teams

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Testability

Easy to test, can observe participant behaviour which makes it quantifiable

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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Briefly describe the theory

Back

People are influenced by others; people can persuade, threaten or support us (Sources-Impacter), which effects how we act (The Target)

Card 3

Front

What are the 3 factors that effect SI?

Back

Card 4

Front

What is the divisional effect?

Back

Card 5

Front

What is the multiplication effect?

Back

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Social Impact Theory