influence (social influence)

Social influence refers to the way people's thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others. It includes how we might change our opinions, behaviors, or choices based on the presence or opinions of friends, family, authority figures, or societal norms. This can happen consciously, like seeking approval, or unconsciously, through subtle cues like body language or cultural expectations. Social influence shapes our decisions and interactions, often guiding us to conform, adopt new ideas, or resist change, and plays a key role in how groups and societies function.