Week 2: Social Influence

            I enjoyed reading this article, but the point that stood out to me the most was on conformity. Cialdini and Goldstein state the definition of conformity as, “the act of changing one’s behavior to match the responses of others.” They say that accuracy, affiliation, and maintaining a positive self-concept. I agree with these. In our generation, conformity is a highly popular thing. This can be applied to Christianity. In Romans 12:2, it says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” We are so wrapped up in this world sometimes that we start mimicking the behaviors around us and conforming to the actions of others. We have to remember where our eyes are set, on Him and Him alone.

            On the article called, “Evil”, written by Terry Eagleton, he opens with discussing children murders and the object of evil. He states that evil has come to be without a cause. “If our actions are causes, we are not responsible for them.” He explains a case that had to do with an officer and a child and later states that “evil can be translated as answerable for one’s action”. I am not sure what my view is on his concept of evil. I feel like I would be interested in reading the rest of this book to figure out what his view on evil actually is and learn more about that subject. He said it is mostly based on Freud, in which makes me very interesting because he was a strong philosopher. Eagleton speaks on the ideas of evil of others as well. It would be an interesting thing to research.

           

            Wendy Wood, the author of “Attitude Change: Persuasion and Social Influence,” speaks on the subject of attitude change and how that comes about. One part that stood out to me was the process of public versus private influence on attitude change. It explains that in public settings, people are aware of your judgment making and have a say, and in private settings people are unaware of your own judgments. This makes sense because the own judgments you make are solely based on your decisions, which is why its better to be surrounded by people who can help you in tough decisions or keep you accountable on the choices you make. With this, it can affect your attitude and the way you display yourself. Another section of the article speaks on fear and how this can be influence as well. I completely agree with Wood as well, saying that the subject of fear can make or break an action or your attitude. Overall, I could understand relate to Wood on her subject of the influences that can go into changing one's attiude.