Social Influence

Understanding how social forces shape behavior

Topics

How does peer pressure work?

Peer pressure works through social influence mechanisms including the desire for acceptance, fear of rejection, informational influence, and the need to belong, which motivate people to conform to peer group norms and behaviors.

How does social media affect behavior?

Social media affects behavior through social comparison, FOMO, validation seeking, echo chambers, curated self-presentation, and algorithms that shape what we see and how we interact, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and actions.