Which of the following best mirrors the concept of informational social influence?

• A. An employee starts dressing more formally at work because everyone else does, wanting to fit in.
• B. A person changes their answer on a test after seeing that most classmates chose a different response, believing the group is more likely to be correct.
• C. A teenager agrees to go to a party because their friends pressure them, even though they do not want to.
• D. A shopper buys a product because it is advertised as popular, hoping to be accepted by others.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of informational social influence, which occurs when a person conforms because they believe others have accurate information, especially in ambiguous situations.
2. Step 2: Identify the key feature of informational social influence: the individual changes their behavior or opinion because they think the group is correct, not just to fit in or avoid rejection.
3. Step 3: Analyze each option to see if the behavior is driven by the desire to be correct (informational influence) or by the desire to be liked or accepted (normative influence).
4. Step 4: Recognize that the example where a person changes their answer on a test after seeing that most classmates chose differently reflects informational social influence, as the person assumes the group is more likely to be correct.
5. Step 5: Confirm that other options involve conformity due to social pressure or desire for acceptance, which are examples of normative social influence, not informational social influence.