Sassenberg Kai, Postmes Tom
Department of Social Psychology, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany.
Br J Soc Psychol. 2002 Sep;41(Pt 3):463-80. doi: 10.1348/014466602760344313.
Two studies examined cognitive and strategic processes of social influence in small groups. A first study showed that anonymity of in-group members to the self cognitively enhanced the perceived unity or entitativity of the group, while the interpersonal attraction to group members decreased. A second study showed that anonymity of the self to the group strategically enhanced differentiation from the group on non-normative dimensions. Overall, it was found that strategic and cognitive processes interact to produce social influence within the group. Implications for theories of social influence in groups are discussed.
