Reading passage

Social influence is a psychological concept that refers to how individuals are affected by the presence or actions of others. It plays a significant role in shaping our behaviors, attitudes, and decisions. Research in social psychology shows that people often conform to group norms or follow the actions of others due to various factors such as the desire for acceptance, fear of rejection, or the belief that others possess more accurate knowledge.

Length: About 100 words

Listening transcript

Professor: Today, we're discussing social influence. Let's consider an example from a study where participants were asked to estimate the length of a line. When confederates purposely gave incorrect answers, many participants conformed to the group response, even when it was clearly wrong. Another study showed how individuals were more likely to help a stranger in need when they saw others offering assistance. These examples illustrate how social influence can impact decision-making and behavior.

Length: About 180 words

Speaking task instruction

Explain the concept of social influence as described in the reading passage and use the professor's examples to show how it works. Preparation time: 30 seconds, Response time: 60 seconds.

Sample student response

Social influence, as mentioned in the reading, is when individuals are influenced by others' actions or presence. The examples provided by the professor highlight this phenomenon. For instance, in the line estimation study, participants adjusted their responses to match the group's, demonstrating conformity. Similarly, the scenario of helping strangers shows how witnessing altruistic behavior can prompt individuals to act in a similar manner. These instances underscore how social influence shapes our decisions and behavior based on social norms and group dynamics.

Length: About 120 words