Information social influence is changing behavior by believing in what the other person tells you, as evident in Emma’s scenario. He seemed to tell the truth. The man in uniform seemed to believe it, and she acted accordingly. Emma was encouraged and urged to comply with orders. Following instructions is the key. Victims can feel helpless when they are in emergency situations. Emma received instructions from the uniformed male to quickly open her door. Consequently, she did precisely that to demonstrate obedience to the perceived “authority” because the informer appeared to be a staff or security personnel, even though he was deceitful.
Emma was forced to confirm the truth and had to agree to the compliance order. Complicity refers to when you agree to follow an implicit or explicit order. Emma obeyed the orders of the man, and followed his commands. Influencers may use threats or coercion. (Ciurria (2018) Emma was tricked by the uniformed male who suggested she help in an emergency. Emma realized her danger, and that her life was at risk. Therefore, she thought it wise to comply with the hotel’s precautionary measures, especially immediate evacuation. Her compliance response was to run and open the door.
Emma succumbed to social pressures and informational communication because she was conformist. A conformist is someone who agrees with another group’s beliefs and behaviours. If there is danger, conformity may lead to vulnerability or an increase in social power (Ciurria (2018)). Emma assumed that everyone would follow her example, regardless of his status as an official at the hotel. Emma did not want to be the exception, regardless of who was the official at the hotel. It was too much for Emma so she refused to go. Emma fell for conformity and lost all of her possessions.