There have been great examples of social influence and terrible examples of social influence. For instance, what do the Heaven's Gate followers and the "Freedom Riders" in the American civil rights movement have in common?
A) They fell under the spell of strong, punitive, charismatic leaders.
B) They were frustrated, and this frustration caused them to behave aggressively.
C) They confronted extreme and confusing situations, and looked to others to decide how to behave.
D) They lacked independence, and thus surrendered control to powerful others.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both the Heaven's Gate followers and the Freedom Riders were in extreme and confusing situations that required them to look to others for guidance and decision-making. The Heaven's Gate followers were part of a cult that believed in an imminent alien invasion of Earth, and the leader convinced them to commit mass suicide to reach the alien spacecraft. The Freedom Riders were a group of activists who challenged segregation laws in the Southern United States, facing violence and oppression on a daily basis. In both cases, social influence played a significant role in their actions.

There Have Been Great Examples of Social Influence and Terrible