• Psychology -> Social and Personality Psychology

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Can obedience be influenced by external factors such as social media or advertising?

Alpha Parnham

Yes, I definitely believe that obedience can be influenced by external factors such as social media or advertising. In today's world, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements and messages that tell us what to think, what to buy, and how to behave. Social media has only amplified this influence, with targeted ads and algorithmically-curated content that is designed to keep us engaged and obedient.

One of the main ways that social media and advertising influence obedience is through the use of social proof. This is the idea that we are more likely to follow the lead of others if we see them doing something. For example, if we see a celebrity using a certain product on Instagram, we are more likely to buy it ourselves. Similarly, if we see a lot of other people on our social media feeds expressing a certain opinion or supporting a certain cause, we are more likely to follow suit.

Another way that external factors can influence obedience is by appealing to our emotions. Advertisements and social media content are often designed to create a certain emotional response in us, whether it be happiness, fear, anger, or even sadness. Once we are in an emotional state, we are more vulnerable to suggestion and more likely to obey whatever message is being presented to us.

Finally, external factors can influence obedience simply by creating a sense of social pressure. This is especially true on social media, where there can be a lot of pressure to conform to certain norms or opinions in order to fit in with a particular group. This pressure can be direct, such as when someone is explicitly criticized for expressing a certain opinion, or more subtle, such as when someone is simply ignored or dismissed for not going along with the group.

Overall, I think it is clear that external factors such as social media and advertising can have a powerful influence on our obedience. However, it is important for us as individuals to be aware of this influence and to make conscious decisions about what messages we choose to obey. We need to be critical consumers of media and to think carefully about the choices we make in our daily lives, rather than simply blindly following whatever messages are being presented to us.