12

Personal
Development
Quarter 2 – Module 3:
Social Relationships in Middle
and Late Adolescence
 What is It

Social influence refers to the

effort of others that induces an effect
on the attitudes and behaviors of
people. It describes the manner by
which individuals impact the views,
moods, and actions of other people.
Social influence occurs when the
attitudes or behaviors of people are
affected by another person or group
(Caparas, 2018). Picture 1 retrieved 10/19/2020 from
https://tinyurl.com/y5vdylxy

Psychologists Solomon Asch (1966) and Stanley Milgram (1983) describe

social influence as the modification of actions that an individual produces in another,
either based on personal volition or as an outcome of the manner the changed
individual regards the self-relative to the influencer, other people, and the society as
a whole.
The theory of influence formulated by psychology professor Robert Cialdini is
founded on the doctrines of mutuality, obligation, reliability, shared evidence, power,
fondness, and inadequacy (Cialdini, 2009). There are six principles of social influence
crafted by Cialdini through a series of experimental studies that he conducted, and
these are the following:
1. Reciprocity or mutuality. People tend to return the favor, pay back debts,
and treat other people the way they are treated.
2. Commitment, obligation, and consistency. People have a deep desire to be
consistent. They are inclined to stick with something once a commitment is
made.
3. Social proof or shared evidence. This principle relies on the likelihood that
people will do what others are doing. People feel “safe” performing tasks that
they find other people doing.
4. Authority or power. In almost all circumstances, people tend to obey
authority figures. They feel a sense of duty or obligation to follow orders.
Degrees, position, title, uniforms, and even gadgets or paraphernalia lend an
air of authority that influences people’s behavior or thinking.
5. Liking or fondness. Cialdini asserts that people are more likely to be
influenced or persuaded by individuals they like, are familiar with, or are
similar to them. People tend to buy items offered by friends, personal contacts,
and acquaintances.
6. Scarcity or inadequacy. The principle of scarcity suggests that people are
more likely to get attracted to things with limited availability. The attraction
stems from losing the opportunity if they do not grab the chance to acquire
the commodity on the immediate instance.

4
 Sources of Social Influence
Social influence can be approached in three levels of analysis as recognized
by sociologists. These are social institutions, interactions with other people, and
individual socialization (Caparas, 2018).

Level of Social Influence Example Influences

1. Social institutions. School organizations,
religious organizations,
and neighborhood clubs
2. Interaction with other daily interactions, talking
people (This influence with others, making
results from people’s clique, and
interaction with other Attitudes,
individuals in school, at beliefs, values,
home, or at play.) and behavior of
3. Individual socialization establishing relationships, people.
(characterizes the commitment,
dynamism of an professionalism,
individual’s continuous upholding moral values,
exposure and and individual identity
familiarization)

Sometimes we admire community leaders because they organize activities for

the welfare of the youth, parents, senior citizens, and other members of the
community. We look up to some people because exemplify deeds that show
responsibility, strength, and productivity (Cleofe, 2016).

Guide Questions
Instructions. Please answer the questions below in a separate sheet of paper.
1. Who are these personalities that you admire in your community?
2. Cite at least 5 personalities with their contribution in our society that greatly
influence others.
3. How do you see yourself 5 or 10 years from now?

The person who influences you has the power to change you because you tend
to imitate some of his or her personality traits and this power is called referent
power or identification with, attraction to, or respect for the source of influence. If
you live in a community full of love and compassion then, you will also value love
and compassion for yourself and for others. While on the other hand, if you are
delighted by material things and wealth by the person you admire then you will also
dream of earning lots of money and becoming rich is your priority (Hogg and
Vaughan, 2011).

5
Leadership
Leadership is described as the ability to effect change in other people to
accomplish desired goals. It involves undertaking collaborative efforts, determining
the right persons to do certain tasks, and coping with challenges in various
situations (Caparas, 2018). Moreover, according to Daft (2011), leadership is a
relationship among leaders and followers, which is influential in effecting change and
realizing common goals.
Professors Laurent Lapierre and Melissa Carsten (2014) maintain that
leadership will not happen if there are no followers in the same way that the benefits
will not be realized without followers. It is equally important that the followers
understand their roles and how they impact the leaders and the leadership process.
There are three styles of leadership, as follows:
1. Autocratic or authoritarian. In this kind of leadership style, all aspects of
leadership are vested on the leaders as can be seen with dictators. Leaders do
not necessarily consult their subordinates. They decide on their own and keep
the decision themselves until they feel the need to share it with the group
members (Lewin et al. 1939).
2. Participative or democratic. The democratic leadership style upholds a
consultative and participative style of leadership. Here, the group leader
advances the welfare of the members and promotes fairness. This is also
known as “shared” or “group-centered leadership” (Caparas, 2018).
3. Laissez-faire. Leaders provide their team members freedom to do their work
and set deadlines. The group members are given autonomy to decide on
policies and procedures. Team members feel challenged to generate novel
ideas and innovative strategies (Caparas, 2018).
According to Daft (2011), to be an effective leader, you should understand the
importance of being flexible in adjusting your behaviors to fit the circumstances of
your group, if there is time pressure on a leader or the members are too slow to finish
their tasks, the leader must adopt an autocratic style. In contrast, when you see that
your members can make wise decisions, you may revert it back to the democratic
style. Judge et al. (2002) found in their study the big five personality dimensions as
follows:
1. Extraversion/ surgency 4. Emotional stability
2. Agreeableness 5. Intellect/ openness to experience.
3. conscientiousness

Followership
The act of adherence to a leader is what is described as followership. This
behavior of an individual occurs in a cluster of people, teams, or organization (Riggio
et al. 2008). The success or failure of an organization depends not only on the
competencies of the leader but also on the extent to which the followers abide by the
leader (Kelley 1988). Even leaders must be willing to shift into or out of their role
under certain circumstances to influence change in their followers and achieve
common goals (Daft, 2011). The relationship between leaders and followers should
show reciprocity or mutual exchange of influence (Bass, 1990). Leaders influence
followers, and, at the same time, followers influence leaders.
Bossidy (2007) cited some of the things expected from an effective follower:
1. A make-it-happen attitude. Leaders expect results from their followers as they
do not need excuses. Tasks become smoother when followers can complete
tasks and get things done.
2. A willingness to collaborate. It is important in the realization of the common
goal. The strength of the team is heavily dependent on the interdependence of
self-reliable members.
3. The passion to drive your own growth. Leaders seek for followers who want to
develop themselves. The best followers are those who have skills, but those
who take the responsibility to continuously improve their abilities.

Kelly (1988) determine five classes/ types of followers and these are the following:
▪ Conformist. These individuals say yes to their leaders. They commit
themselves to the accomplishment of the goals of the team or organization.
▪ Exemplary. Individuals who possess traits such as optimism, energy, and the
ability to think freely and critically. They practice critical thinking as applied
to decision making.
▪ Passive. Followers who do not exercise critical thinking and simply do what
has been instructed to them.
▪ Pragmatics. These individuals who like to remain in the background of the
group. They do not usually express their views about controversial issues until
the majority has spoken up.
▪ Alienated. Those who exude negativism as they believe that they have the
authority and responsibility to lead the organization. They simply play the
devil’s advocate by persistently challenging the judgement, position, and
actions of the leader.

What I have Learned

Activity 3: REFLECTION
Answer the questions below and write your answers in any sheet of paper.
1. If given a chance to become a leader, what leadership style you would adopt
and why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What type of follower you are? Explain your answer.

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________