When we think about social psychology, it's clear that groups can have a big impact on how we think and believe. They shape our opinions through different ways like peer pressure, conformity, and social norms. Understanding these ideas is important for students in Year 7 who are studying psychology.

Peer Pressure

Peer pressure happens when people feel pushed to act like their friends or the group they belong to. Studies show that:

• 90% of teens say they've felt peer pressure at some time.
• About 70% admit they’ve made choices they wouldn’t have made if it weren’t for this pressure.

Peer pressure can lead to good or bad results. For example, it might encourage someone to join a sports team, but it can also push someone towards risky things like using drugs.

Conformity

Conformity is when someone changes their thoughts or actions to match a group. A well-known experiment by Solomon Asch back in the 1950s showed this effect. He found that:

• Around 37% of people went along with the group’s wrong answers, even though they knew the right one.
• Later, when people could answer privately, fewer of them conformed, showing how powerful a group can be.

Social Norms

Social norms are like the unspoken rules about how to behave in a group. These norms can really influence our opinions. For instance, in a classroom, if most students share an opinion about a topic, others might feel they have to agree, even if they secretly think differently.

Groupthink

Groupthink is another important idea. It happens when everyone in a group wants to get along, which can lead to poor choices. This can happen when:

• Groups care more about agreeing than about thinking critically.
• Past events, like the Bay of Pigs Invasion, show how groupthink can lead to really bad decisions.

Statistical Insights

• Surveys show that 65% of high school students feel they need to fit in with their friends.
• Research suggests that people are likely to change their opinions because of group pressure. About 51% of people changed their views during a group discussion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, groups can really change our opinions and beliefs through peer pressure, conformity, social norms, and groupthink. It's important to notice these influences so we can think critically and develop our own values. As you learn about psychology, think about how these factors might shape your own thoughts and actions in different social situations.