Moibi participates in two groups at school. One is the chess club. She is not very attached to this group and really only joined because they meet on Tuesdays and she needed to find something to do until 5 that day of the week. Moibi also is a cheerleader. Most of the other cheerleaders are her very close friends. If Moibi disagreed with a decision made by each of these two groups, what would be the most likely outcome, according to social impact theory?
A) Moibi would not conform to the chess club or to the cheerleaders.
B) Moibi would conform to both the chess club and the cheerleaders.
C) Moibi would conform to the chess club but not the cheerleaders.
D) Moibi would not conform to the chess club but would conform to the cheerleaders.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to social impact theory, the degree of influence of a group on an individual depends on three factors: strength, immediacy, and number. Moibi is not very attached to the chess club, and as such, its strength and immediacy are low. In addition, the number of members is also likely low, making the impact even less significant. However, Moibi is close friends with most of the cheerleaders, and therefore, the group's strength and immediacy are higher. The number of members may also be higher, increasing the impact further. Thus, Moibi is more likely to conform to the decision of the cheerleaders if she disagrees with them, but not to the chess club. Therefore, the best answer is D.

Moibi Participates in Two Groups at School