Due to the
open transparency and constant accessibility
of social media, you may also feel anxiety related to a lack of privacy. On top of that, social media often gives us the sense that we’re socializing without actually allowing us to socialize the way we do best—with in-person, direct conversations.
Today social media platforms have a key role to play in our lives. Billions of people around the globe use them to communicate, have fun, socialize, access to news, search for a product/ service, shop, etc.
Your age or background is not important
. Social networks will affect your daily routine significantly.
However, multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm, and even suicidal thoughts. Social media may promote negative experiences such as:
Inadequacy about your life or appearance
.
Normative social influence is usually associated with compliance, where a person changes their public behaviour but not their private beliefs. For example, a
person may feel pressurised to smoke because
the rest of their friends are. … This means any change of behavior is temporary.
Some of the benefits of social media are:
Having a platform to showcase technological savvy and creativity
.
Increased self-confidence by empowering introverts to express
their ideas. The ability to create lifelong friends.
3 THREE TYPES OF SOCIAL INFLUENCE. There are three types of influence that a social presence can have on a consumer:
utilitarian, value-expressive, and informational
(Burnkrant & Cousineau, 1975; Deutsch & Gerard, 1955; Park & Lessig, 1977).
Any process whereby a person’s attitudes
(1), opinions, beliefs, or behaviour are altered or controlled by some form of social communication. It includes conformity, compliance, group polarization, minority social influence, obedience, persuasion, and the influence of social norms (1).
Social institutions:
Organized religions, political parties, and labor unions
are social institutions that influence our attitudes, beliefs, values, and behavior. Interactions with other people: The people we interact with, at home, at work, or at play.
64% of Americans say social media have a
mostly negative effect
on the way things are going in the U.S. today. … Just one-in-ten Americans say social media sites have a mostly positive effect on the way things are going, and one-quarter say these platforms have a neither positive nor negative effect.
- Build relationships. Social media is not just about brands connecting with their customers. …
- Share your expertise. Social media gives you an opportunity to talk about what you know and what you want to be known for. …
- Increase your visibility. …
- Educate yourself. …
- Connect anytime.
Harvard Scientists conducted a study looking into 3 psychological health outcomes related to social media use. They found that social media
itself did not cause poor psychological outcomes
. For those who used it out of need, with more addictive relationships with social media, they had negative outcomes. …
Social psychologists provide two main reasons for the effects of social influence:
normative influence and informational influence
(Deutsch & Gerard, 1955).
What are three types of influence?
The following section discusses three types of social influences—
utilitarian, value-expressive, and informational
—to explain why a social presence impacts a consumer.
Three areas of social influence are
conformity, compliance and obedience
. Conformity is changing how you behave to be more like others. This plays to belonging and esteem needs as we seek the approval and friendship of others.
Kelman (1958) posited that social influence brings
about changes in attitude and actions
, and that changes may occur at different “levels.” This difference in the level of changes can be attributed by the differences in the processes through which individuals accept influence.
- What the Research Shows. …
- How to Avoid the Herd Mentality. …
- Stop Being on Auto-Pilot. …
- Make a Conscious Effort to Form Your Own Opinion. …
- Take Time to Make Decisions. …
- Be Aware of Ways in Which Stress Affects Your Decision Making. …
- Be Willing to Stand Out.