Social Influence: Change Others

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Table of Contents

Abstract
Introduction
Functions of the Review Papers
Comparison and Contrast of the Articles
Conclusion
References

Abstract

Social influence is carried out at various levels – from individual to global. The phenomenon occurs when an individual is influenced by the surrounding emotions, beliefs, norms and values, leading to socialization, interaction, identification and conformity.

All these aspects are introduced through the broad angles of social impact introduced by Kelman through such aspects as compliance, identification, and internalization. This theory is heavily discussed in other experimental studies that refer to different spheres, including business administration, education, and psychology.

The spectrum of references also strengthens the validity and reliability of Kelman’s model, as well as enhances its practical value. Discussing various issues, such self-perception, identity, and influence of administrative control also complement the initially designed theoretical implications. In conclusion, although all the researches are associated with the psychological transformation of identity, they all discuss how individual’s perception is affected by social influence.

Introduction

The nature of social influence has long been considered by many researchers in terms of identity formation and conformity to socially accepted patterns and norms of behavior. At this point, the analysis of Kelman’s triangle model contributes to understanding and explaining of how such social phenomena as conflict revolution, negotiation, and self-perception could be influenced by social behavior. Specific attention should also be given to compliance, identification, and internalization.

The latter gains greater importance because global processes are on the rise. The awareness of these aspects is also important for professional fulfillment and realization of personal goals. Adjusting to shifts in social life, individuals can feel more comfortable. Therefore, Kelman’s alternative view on social behavior and factors affecting them is fully justified from psychological viewpoint.

Functions of the Review Papers

The parent article under analysis is called Compliance, Identification, and Internalization: Three Processes of Attitude Change and is introduced by Herbert Kelman. Published in 1958, the studies discuss the nature of social changes, as well as how social environment influence individual behavior.

To research the problem of shifts in attitudes, an experimental study is introduced to determine the nature of social changes predetermined by the level of communication. The social change involves three processes: compliance, identification, and internalization. These three dimensions form the theoretical framework of the study.

Compliance refers to the case when an individual recognize the impact because he/she expects to gain favorable feedback from another individual or community. Identification appears when an individual perceive influence as a means of maintaining or establishing self-defining relationships with another individual or community. Finally, internalization refers to the case when the meaning of the induced behavior is rewarding and is congruent with the individual’s belief system.

African American college freshmen were selected for the experiment to define how students are affected by communication. The message of communication postulates that, if the Supreme Court supports unconstitutionality of the segregation, it is likely to perverse some private colleges for African-Americans to preserve Black culture, traditions, and history. In conclusion, the experiment does not give a definite answer concerning the hypothesis, but it supports the functions of compliance, identification, and internalization.

The theory of compliance and social influence on behavioral change is represented in the article entitled as Effects of Organizational and Professional Identification on the Relationship between Administrators’ Social Influence and Professional Employees’ Adoption of New Work and is written by Hekman, Steensma, Bigley, and Herford (2009).

Released in 2009, the research focuses on the connection between administrative social influence and the attitude of employees to their organization and profession. The study introduces a confidential survey based on survey distribution method in Healthcorp, a nongovernmental organization located in the Pacific Northwest region. 249 participants have been selected for the experiment.

The dependent variable in the research is “…an improvement over previous measures of acceptance of new work behavior that are primarily limited to self-reports and third party raters” (Hekman et al., 2009, p. 1328). Identification of organizational goals and professional competence and administrative social influence belong to independent variables.

The control variables refer to the period of availability of secure messaging, clinic membership, and perceived efficiency of technology. The research has highlighted that professional and experienced employees have been discovered to be the most sensitive social influence to adjust the work behavior to organizational objectives. At the same time, administrative social influence is not efficient if professional employees identify themselves with their profession rather with organizational goals.

The study entitled as Toward a Model of Social Influence Explains Minority Student Integration into the Scientific Community offers a model of social impact and analyzes factors that influences minority students’ perception of the a specific educational environment.

From the perspective of Kelman’s triangle model, the research explains the role orientation of minority groups in a host community. In this context, “…students comply with they learn the material and the skills requires for their major” (Estrada, Woodcock, Hernandez, & Schultz, 2011, p. 208).

The experiment of the study is premised on TIMSI model and a cross-sectional analysis of information retrieved from the second year of research. The participants involve 1053 science students from the minority community selected from 50 universities in the United States. The members of the experiment have been measured in accordance with the identified measures, including scientific self-efficacy, scientific identity, and scientific community objectives.

To test the hypothesis, the studies refer to a range of analyses conducted within an equation modeling frameworks. The results show that values and orientations would be the most efficient for graduate students because they are more integrated in the community as compared to undergraduates. In conclusions, the experiment underscores the explanatory value of Kelman’s conclusions in terms of the validity of social influence.

The observational studies by Spillmann and Kollars (2010), which are called Herbert Kelman’s Contribution to the Methodology of Practical Conflict Revolution comment on Kelman’s method of interactive problem solving that seeks to negotiate identity factors of the conflict parties.

Specific, the experiment focuses on the practical applications of the method to considering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Basing the discussion on the dialogue workshops, the research displays how former participants of the conflict have encountered workshop discussions, as well as what they consider to be long-term effects of the method.

While investigating the nature of conflicts, the experiment heavily relies on Kelman’s analysis of parties’ identities, including their social and cultural backgrounds. The results of the study demonstrate that the interactive model of problem solving has had a considerable influence on workshop participants. The interview data also indicate that the workshop discussions caused an increased realization of other’s experience.

Moreover, the participants of the study confirm that the negotiation process is closely associated with the aspects of national identity, which sometimes refer the issues of conflict resolution. In conclusion, the research studies prove the efficiency and value of Kelman’s conflict resolution model and define further implications for scientific exploration in the field.

Released in 2007, the research The Spyglass Self: A Model of Vicarious Self-Perception conducted by Goldstein and Cialdini highlight the reference of self-perception theory to the problem of merged identity, enumerating such processes as conformity, self-concept development, and perspective-taking.

For the experimental study, 135 participants (66 male and 69 female undegraduates) have been chosen from an introductory psychology course. They have been split into groups from 2 to 6 to work on private computers. The members of the group were told that the purpose of the research consists’ in examining people’s perceptions of various types of interviews. The results have shown that there are shifts in self-perceptions in terms of self-sacrifice.

The second study premises on the analysis of the results received from 33 participants. It has shown that the participants are more inclined to be self-sacrificing and sensitive to other participants. In general, the subsequent studies, along with the previously described ones, imply that such aspects as vicarious self-perception has a direct correlation with behavioral change and development of merged identity.

Additionally, shifts in self-perception contribute to enhanced probability of participants’ engagement in prosocial behavior. In conclusion, the studies prove the evident influence of socially accepted behavioral patterns on participants’ self-perception. They have also provided alternative explanation for observed prosocial behavior.

Comparison and Contrast of the Articles

All the research studies under analysis refer to the analysis and evaluation of various displays of identity formation. Specifically, Hekman et al. (2009) describe the process of formation of professional identity, as well as external factors affecting this process. Estrada et al. (2011) analyze minority issues while shaping the identity of scientific students’ and their integration into the community.

Goldstein and Cialdini (2007) discuss self-concept with reliance on the problem of merged identity. Finally, Spillmann and Kollars (2010) focus on the role of identity formation in a conflict resolution process. Reliance on the concrete example, the research defines the leading aspects of conflict, as well as how they are affected by cultural and social backgrounds of the parties involved.

Despite the similarities, there are substantial differences in representing Kelman’s theory of social change. This is of particular concern to the idea of the elements of identity formation. At this point, Hekman et al (2009) along with Estrada et al. (2011) are more concerned with the triangle identification of identity issues whereas Goldstein and Cialdini and Spillmann and Kollars (2010) are more interested in developing self-concept in the context of conflict resolution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the nature of social change is sophisticated because it implies a synthesis of individual and collective factors influencing the overall formation of compliance, identification, and internalization. On the one hand, individuality induces new patterns, values, and norms that change social reality. On the other hand, social environment leaves a tangible imprint on identity formation. All these aspects are introduced within the Kelman’s theory of social change and conflict resolution.

The interaction of social medium and an individual creates new approaches to treating such as aspects, as behavior, attitude, and self-perception, as well as shaping the new belief system. The four experimental articles rely on Kelman’s model to interpret it from different angles and explain how it can be applied in various settings to change the behaviors of others.

References

Estrada, M., Woodcock, A., Hernandez, P. R., & Schultz, P. (2011). Toward a model of social influence that explains minority student integration into the scientific community. Journal of Educational Psychology, 103(1), 206-222.

Goldstein, N. J., & Cialdini, R. B. (2007). The spyglass self: A model of vicarious self-perception. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(3), 402-417.

Hekman, D. R., Steensma, H., Bigley, G. A., & Hereford, J. F. (2009). Effects of organizational and professional identification on the relationship between administrators’ social influence and professional employees’ adoption of new work behavior. Journal Of Applied Psychology, 94(5), 1325-1335.

Kelman, H. (1958). Compliance, identification, and internalization: Three processes of attitude change. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 1, 51-60.

Spillmann, K. R., & Kollars, N. D. (2010). Herbert Kelman’s contribution to the methodology of practical conflict resolution. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 16(4), 349-360

Click Here To Order Now!