Social Influence: Diversity, Conformity, and Conflict

Unpack social norms and its impact on society

Social influence describes how an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, or behaviours change due to the presence or actions of others. It can be wide and varied, impacting the interactions and behaviours we use daily.

On this four-week course, you’ll look at key concepts relating to conformity, obedience, and social norms to understand how and why an individual’s behaviour may change.

With this knowledge, you’ll reflect on how this impacts wider society and the implications of social influence for equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Explore group and individual psychology

You’ll explore the way conformity and resistance to authority work in different groups and individuals.

This understanding will help you explore the role of obedience within wider society.

Gain an understanding of media influence

One form of social influence can be seen within different types of media.

You’ll focus on media bias to understand how the media can influence perceptions of gender, race, and ethnicity and even political support and electoral behaviour.

Learn how to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)

You’ll examine the role of conflict as a by-product of diversity. Within this, you’ll consider the benefits and challenges of disagreements arising from diverse opinions, values, and norms.

Guided by the experts at the University of Lincoln, you’ll finish the course with the insights and skills to understand the role of social influence and apply it to your own practice. All of these elements can also be combined to promote EDI awareness in your organisation.

This course is designed for those with a personal or professional interest in equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

It will help you gain the skills to develop employee awareness and practice of EDI.

This course is designed for those with a personal or professional interest in equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

It will help you gain the skills to develop employee awareness and practice of EDI.

• Describe the significance of conformity, obedience and groups norms for equality, diversity and inclusion
• Identify reasons why people resist and challenge authority.
• Explore how policy and legislation can function as mechanisms of social influence.
• Explain the role of the media in shaping our opinions and values.
• Evaluate the likelihood of conflict as an outcome of diversity in your community or workplace.
• Discuss the benefits and challenges of conflicts of values and ideas for equality, diversity and inclusion.