Lecture Notes on Self-Identity and Social Influence in Social Psychology

Topics Covered

• Imitation
• Roles
• Reference Groups
• Culture and Socialization

Introduction to Social Influence

• Falls under social psychology
• Major focus: How thoughts, actions, feelings are influenced by social groups
• Individual and societal interaction

Imitation

• Basic form of social behavior: copying others
• Requires understanding of self vs. others
• Debate on when this understanding develops (birth vs. months/years later)

Meltzoff's Experiment (1977)

• Tested imitation in babies (12-21 days old)
• Babies imitated tongue sticking
• Ensured behavior wasn't reflex or excitement
• Controlled facial expressions: Blank during baby's response
• Found true imitation in babies
• Replicated in baby monkeys
• Suggests in-built capacity for imitation critical for learning and social mechanisms

Mirror Neurons

• Found in brain areas: somatosensory cortex, motor and premotor cortex
• Fire when we act and observe same action by others
• Key to understanding imitation further

Roles

• Individuals have multiple roles (e.g., brother, doctor, teacher, etc.)
• Behavior changes to fit role expectations from self and others
• Connected to social norms: accepted behavioral standards in groups
• Importance: Provides order and guides behavior in society

Stanford Prison Experiment (Philip Zimbardo)

• Participants role-playing guards and prisoners
• Guards became authoritative, sadistic; prisoners became submissive
• Interaction of environment and individual behavior
• Highlights importance of roles in shaping behaviors and attitudes

Reference Groups

• Groups people refer to for self-evaluation
• Influence beliefs, attitudes, behaviors
• Examples:
  • Social science group influencing political decisions
  • Feminist group influencing marital decisions
• Importance: Point of comparison for values and social decisions

Influence in Decision-Making

• Reference groups guide behavior and decisions subconsciously
• Seek advice or approval from these groups consciously or subconsciously

Culture and Socialization

• Broader concept: Sociocultural theory
• Society's contribution to individual development
• Emphasizes interaction between people and culture
• Influences of parents, peers, neighbors, teachers, coworkers, etc.
• Wider influences: country, language, communities, group attitudes, and values