Have you ever surprised yourself by agreeing to someone else’s opinion that is close to you even though you are uncomfortable believing that opinion? Or have you pursued a new hobby because your social circle is keen to adopt that activity? This situation, where people’s beliefs and beahviours are strongly influenced by other people whom we are surrounded with, is an exciting facet of social psychology. This blog aims to unravel why we get charmed by other people’s beliefs so easily and how this influence dictates our thought processes and actions.
As we all are aware, human beings are innately social creatures and since the ages of human history, being confined to a social group has played a significant role in terms of psychological survival. The dire need for human beings to be socially active has been drilled so strongly into minds which has led us to be influenced by others. The three recognized prominent variants of social influence are conformity, compliance, and obedience.
Conformity is associated with a tendency to mold beliefs and behaviors that resonate with the group one is involved with.
Compliance is another foundational dynamic of social influence which refers to embracing a request or demand.
And lastly, obedience becomes a part of social influence as it relates to following commands from an authoritative entity. Each of these components has its fair share of involvement concerning how we grasp and introspect the beliefs of people around us.
Conformity: The Urge to be accepted
The primary reason we get influenced by other people’s words, beliefs, and actions is due to our deep-rooted desire to be accepted by others. This psychological tendency to fit in is called a normative social influence which pushes individuals to conform to group rules and norms to gain acceptance and social validation.
Informational Social Influence: Chasing the Right Solution
Another reason people show compliance towards a social group is due to informational social influence. It is quite common for us human beings when we are unsure about a situation, we often seek guidance from knowledgeable people. A prime example is social media platforms where we get majorly influenced by the latest trends and opinions from popular celebrities that significantly shape our beliefs and behaviours.
Cognitive Dissonance: Designing Parallel Approach between Beliefs and Actions
Cognitive Dissonance is a psychological concept that also actively participates in influencing our beliefs and actions. This happens when we hold conflicting beliefs or behave contradictory to our beliefs. This conflict between our beliefs and actions causes significant discomfort that can affect our psychological well-being.
Visualize yourself as a person who ensures following a healthy diet and strictly avoids eating junk food. However, you are a part of a group where your friends are indulged in eating outside food and you find yourself stuck in conflict. To relieve yourself from this uncomfortable situation and fit in the group, you may start believing that consuming one outside meal won’t harm your health or you may even begin doubting your food beliefs. Hence, it can be understood that cognitive dissonance also crops up from the urge to be accepted within a group that can critically influence our beliefs and actions.
Identity and Self-Concept
Self-concept and identity shape how we are influenced by others' opinions and beliefs. We accept ideas that align with our self-perception and reject those that don't. When we join a social group, it's often because our beliefs align with the group's, which enhances our sense of self-worth, belonging, and connection.
A major part of us getting influenced by other people’s beliefs is our identity. Our identity is significantly shaped by the social groups we are involved in. Hence, we seek membership in social groups as it fosters our self-concept and helps to create an identity that aligns with the beliefs of the group we are involved in.
In the last place, understanding the reasons human beings are influenced by others beliefs contributes to becoming more mindful of our core belief systems and thought processes. While it is true that social influence takes away a larger piece of cake when it comes to shaping our behaviors and interactions with others, it is also necessary to acknowledge that maintaining a balance is essential. The reason it becomes so important to identify beliefs we truly believe in, is that it permits us to critically analyze information and enhance our
decisiveness.
This critical evaluation is vital in handling personal battles helping us recognize that others beliefs may not resonate with our lives. Hence, being aware of external influences enriches not just our presence of mind but also our ability to identify manipulations.
So, next time you find yourself confused by social beliefs, take a moment to introspect on the hidden reasons. Question yourself if you are conforming for validation, seeking guidance, or relating yourself to an original source. Identifying these patterns can helps to navigate social influence and be faithful to your personal beliefs and values.
© White Umbrella Mental Health Services
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