Full Answer Section

In both of these examples, the person is influenced by the norms of the group. They feel pressure to conform to the group’s expectations, even if they don’t personally agree with those expectations. This is an example of normative social influence.

The influence of conformity, compliance, or obedience can be decreased by:

• Encouraging people to think critically and to question authority. This will help people to be more independent and to make their own decisions.
• Providing people with accurate information. This will help people to make informed decisions, and it will make them less likely to be influenced by others.
• Creating a supportive environment where people feel comfortable expressing their own opinions. This will help people to feel more confident in their own decisions, and it will make them less likely to be influenced by others.

If the influence of conformity, compliance, or obedience was decreased, the situations I identified would likely change in the following ways:

• The person in the first example would be more likely to choose the coffee brand that they actually wanted. They would not be as influenced by their friends’ recommendations.
• The person in the second example would be more likely to choose a restaurant that they actually wanted to eat at. They would not be as influenced by the local’s recommendation.
• The person in the third example would be more likely to voice their disagreement with the leader’s decision. They would not feel as pressured to conform to the group’s norms.

In all of these cases, the person would be more likely to make a decision that is in line with their own values and preferences. This would lead to a more satisfying and fulfilling experience for the person.