Which type of social influence involves conforming to be liked and accepted by others?

• A. Informational influence
• B. Direct persuasion
• C. Normative influence
• D. Independent thinking

Answer: (C)

Normative social influence is the drive to be liked and accepted by others, so people go along with a group even if they privately disagree. The goal isn’t to be correct, but to avoid social disapproval and gain approval, which explains why someone would conform just to fit in. This idea is well illustrated by studies like the Asch line task, where participants conformed to an incorrect majority to avoid standing out. In contrast, informational influence is about accepting others’ information as evidence about reality to be correct, independent thinking is resisting influence, and direct persuasion involves explicit attempts to change beliefs rather than a desire for social acceptance. So conforming to be liked and accepted fits normative influence exactly.