onlincourse

Social Influence: Diversity, Conformity, and Conflict

Learn to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion as you discover how social influence plays a vital role in shaping behaviour with this online course from the University of Lincoln.

Duration

4 weeks

Weekly study

3 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

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Accreditation

More info

Established

1996

Location

Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK

Unpack social norms and its impact on society

Social influence describes how an individual’s attitudes, beliefs, or behaviours change due to the presence or actions of others. It can be wide and varied, impacting the interactions and behaviours we use daily.

On this four-week course, you’ll look at key concepts relating to conformity, obedience, and social norms to understand how and why an individual’s behaviour may change.

With this knowledge, you’ll reflect on how this impacts wider society and the implications of social influence for equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Explore group and individual psychology

You’ll explore the way conformity and resistance to authority work in different groups and individuals.

This understanding will help you explore the role of obedience within wider society.

Gain an understanding of media influence

One form of social influence can be seen within different types of media.

You’ll focus on media bias to understand how the media can influence perceptions of gender, race, and ethnicity and even political support and electoral behaviour.

Learn how to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI)

You’ll examine the role of conflict as a by-product of diversity. Within this, you’ll consider the benefits and challenges of disagreements arising from diverse opinions, values, and norms.

Guided by the experts at the University of Lincoln, you’ll finish the course with the insights and skills to understand the role of social influence and apply it to your own practice. All of these elements can also be combined to promote EDI awareness in your organisation.

Week 1
Conformity, Obedience and Group Norms
- Introduction
  In this first activity, you'll get to know a bit more about the course, who we are and have the opportunity to introduce yourself.
- Conformity
  During this week, we will explore the concepts of conformity, social control, cohesion and obedience.
- Obedience
  During this activity, we'll consider how social influence and obedience can change our attitudes, behaviours and beliefs.
- Summary and Reflection
  This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.
Week 2
Social Influence and Equality Legislation
- Welcome Back
  This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.
- Social Influence: EDI Legislation
  During this activity, we'll consider we are socially influenced by EDI legislation.
- EDI Legislation: Social Influence and Workplace Policy
  During this activity, we'll explore how EDI legislation can feed into workplace policy.
- Summary and Reflection
  This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.
Week 3
Media and Social Influence
- Welcome Back
  This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.
- Media Influence
  During this activity, we'll examine how the media can shape our opinions and values.
- Media Bias: Migrant Stereotyping
  During this activity, we'll have a look at a specific type of media bias - migrant stereotyping.
- Summary and Reflection
  This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise.
Week 4
Diversity, Inclusion and Conflict
- Welcome Back
  This activity will provide a short recap of last week's learning and introduce this week's content.
- Conflict: A By-product of Diversity
  During this activity, we'll consider how conflict is a necessary part of diversity and how this can lead to innovation.
- Different Styles of Thinking and Innovation
  During this activity, we'll explore how cultural differences can lead to conflict, but it is necessary for innovation.
- Summary and Reflection
  This activity will summarise this week's content and ask you to undertake a reflective exercise. A course overview will be provided and the course will conclude with a quiz to test your knowledge of the course material.