Understanding the Difference between Informational Influence and Normative Influence in Social Settings
Social influence is a phenomenon that operates in any situation where people are interacting with each other. It occurs when an individual’s thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are affected by the presence or actions of others. Most social influence can be categorized into two forms: informational influence and normative influence.
Informational Influence
Informational influence happens when individuals rely on others’ opinions, beliefs, or ideas to understand their environment. It occurs when individuals are uncertain about the correct answer to a particular situation or when they lack knowledge or skills in a particular area. The outcome of informational influence is usually internalization, where the person accepts the influence and forms a long-lasting change in their beliefs or behavior.
A real-life example of informational influence is when you go to a new restaurant and are unsure of what to order. If you see other customers ordering a particular dish and praising it, you are more likely to order the same dish, assuming that others’ positive opinions are accurate.
Normative Influence
Normative influence takes place when individuals conform to the group’s expectations, norms, or social values. It happens when individuals want to be accepted and valued by their group or when they fear rejection if they do not conform. The result of normative influence is compliance, which is a superficial and temporary change in behavior or belief.
A real-life instance of normative influence is when you attend a party with a specific dress code. Suppose you choose to wear something that does not conform to the dress code, and you receive negative comments from your peers. You may be more likely to comply with the dress code at the party’s next event to avoid being rejected by the group.
The Differences between Informational Influence and Normative Influence
The main difference between informational and normative influence is the outcome of the influence. While informational influence leads to internalization of beliefs or values, normative influence results in compliance. Individuals subjected to normative social influence may exhibit the desired behavior, primarily intending to gain social acceptance rather than actual belief in the action’s value.
Another difference is when people are likely to conform to informational and normative influence. Informational influence is more likely to occur in situations where people lack knowledge or experience, while normative influence is more likely to take place when a group’s expectations or social norms need to be adhered to, even if it contradicts an individual’s beliefs.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between informational influence and normative influence is vital in comprehending social dynamics. While both types of influence occur regularly in social settings, distinguishing between them can help us understand why we behave the way we do in specific situations. Knowledge of these types of social influence can help us make informed decisions and understand the mechanisms underlying the behavior of others in social settings.
In summary, the significant differences between informational influence and normative influence are the outcome of the influence and the circumstances in which people are likely to conform. Informational influence leads to internalization, while normative influence results in compliance. Informational influence is more likely to occur when people lack knowledge or experience, while normative influence occurs when a group’s expectations or social norms need to be adhered to, despite individual beliefs.
