Tabular Difference between Social Influence and Persuasion

How is Social Influence different from Persuasion?

Conclusion – Social Influence and Persuasion

Here are the points of difference between Social Influence and Persuasion:

Aspect	Persuasion	Social Influence
Nature of Process	One-way process where one person convinces another to change attitude or behavior.	Two-way process where both parties try to influence each other.
Example Scenario	A person persuading a friend to adopt a healthier lifestyle.	Two friends trying to persuade each other about ending a relationship.
Mutual Interaction	Limited mutual interaction, primarily focused on changing the target’s perspective.	Extensive mutual interaction as both parties seek to influence each other.
Possibility of Disagreement	Typically involves a clear persuaded and persuadee, less room for disagreement.	Potential for disagreement as both parties may have differing opinions.
Outcome Orientation	Focused on changing the attitude or behavior of the target individual.	Focused on mutual influence, which may lead to shared decision-making or compromise.

Social Influence and Persuasion

Social Influence and Persuasion: Social influence refers to people’s tendency to conform to their peers’ behaviors and attitudes. It involves intentional and unintentional efforts to change another person’s attitudes, or behavior. In contrast, persuasion refers to the art of getting people to act per your desires and/or preferences. Both concepts are often discussed as being facets of influence and are heavily reliant on one another in terms of their effectiveness. However, they can be applied independently as well.

In this article, we will explore the meaning, types, factors, and effects of Social Influence and Persuasion.

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