How does informational social influence affect decision-making?

Informational social influence can affect decision-making by influencing individuals to conform to group norms.

Informational social influence is a type of social influence in which individuals conform to the opinions or behaviours of others because they believe that others have more accurate information or knowledge. This type of influence is most likely to occur when individuals are uncertain about how to behave in a particular situation or when they lack knowledge or expertise in a particular area.

When individuals are faced with a decision-making task, they may be influenced by the opinions or actions of others in the group. This can lead to a phenomenon known as groupthink, in which the desire for group harmony or conformity overrides the need for critical thinking and independent decision-making.

However, informational social influence can also be beneficial in certain situations. For example, in a medical emergency, individuals may look to others for guidance on how to respond. In this case, conforming to the opinions or actions of others can lead to more effective decision-making and better outcomes.

Overall, while informational social influence can have both positive and negative effects on decision-making, it is important for individuals to remain aware of their own beliefs and values and to engage in critical thinking when making decisions.