Define and Describe Normative Influence, Conformity, and Obedience

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The Answer is The answer should include the following information: (1) Normative influence occurs when one person's behavior is influenced by another person's behavior because the latter provides information about what is appropriate. People often engage in normative influence because of a basic rule, the norm of reciprocity, which is an unwritten rule that people should benefit those who have benefited them. People who do not follow these norms are looked down upon socially; (2) Conformity is the tendency to do what others do simply because others are doing it. Conformity occurs because people feel the need to have social approval. The behavior of others can tell us what is proper, appropriate, expected, and accepted, and their behavior thus governs a norm in which a person is expected to follow; (3) Obedience is the tendency to do what authorities tell us to do simply because they tell us to do it. Obedience occurs because people feel normative pressure; in other words, they may feel as if they have no other choice but to obey the authoritative figure without suffering punishment themselves. Or, they might feel that the authority figure is in possession of information that they themselves do not have; as such, they should obey him or her.

Define and Describe Normative Influence, Conformity, and Obedience

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