Psychology 110
Neil Lutsky, Carleton College

Class Outline: The Breadth and Character of Social Influence



I. Review of our introduction to social psychology.

A. Basic themes of the social psychological approach.
B. Quick examples of social influence.

1. Who wants to be a $10aire?

2. The Chamelion Effect.

II. Coercion, conformity, coordination, information, or common conditions? Lemmings, sheep, or rational beings?

A. Why do people tend to behave as others do (or lead them to) in social situations?
B. An example of the complexity of social influence: Explaining obedience.

1. Milgram's agency analysis.
2. Social influence accounts:

a. Informational effects.
b. Instrumental constraints.


III. Helping behavior research. [See 9/22 outline]

IV. On to extended situations: The case of close interpersonal relationships.

A. Social influence on initial attraction.

1. The attractions of socially desirable qualities: BIRGing; Hatfield et al.

2. The value of social similarity.

3. The surprising power of proximity (Festinger, Schachter, & Back).

B. Factors influencing relationship success and failure (Rusbult).

C. Ending relationships: Social constraints on splitting up, or, when to be wary (Hill, Peplau, & Rubin)!