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Whether you’re a college student, high school student, or an employee, I’m pretty sure that at some point a group discussion occurred which spiked your interest, and presumably influenced you. Group influence plays a major role in assisting companies, with generating sales, and greatly influences consumer behavior.  People who are apart of groups share similar ideas, interests, and goals. Group members promote products, services and advertisements by word-of-mouth to members of the group that may not have had knowledge of the product, which may influence other members of that group to purchase the product, or service. One of the ways group influence aids in generating sales might be a “popular group” at a High School who sets trends, this activity may cause other students to join in, and purchase certain clothing. Another example of group influence may be members of a workout program who claim to have achieved great results, and encourage others to take part in the program if they are looking to get in shape.  Group influence can be used over the internet, for example forums where people discuss certain topics, and share information that may be of interest to other members of the forum. In some cases people tend to conform, especially if a vast majority of people are in agreement with each other, this can also lead into peer pressure.

Here are examples of Group Influence and Conformity: