Final answer:
The statement about influence is true; social psychology shows that our feelings, thoughts, and behaviors can be influenced by external and internal forces, including advertising, group norms, social roles, and media.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement you've asked about is true: influence is indeed the actual or perceived influence exerted by other people on us that affects the way we feel, think, or behave. Social psychology examines these phenomena extensively, particularly in situational influences, social roles, and social norms. According to the findings of social psychologists, our attitudes and behaviors can be impacted by several external and internal forces.
External factors include situations like advertising and conformity to group norms, while internal elements might involve cognitive processes like cognitive dissonance. Efforts to influence can take two primary forms: the central route to persuasion, which relies on facts and information, and the peripheral route, which relies more on associative cues such as emotions. Social psychologists assert that our responses and actions can change based on the presence and perceived authority of others around us, often leading to compliance, conformity, and even obedience.
Furthermore, our interactions can include forms of prejudice and discrimination, effectively demonstrating how negative attitudes towards certain groups can influence one's actions towards members of those groups. The power of media is also a significant force that shapes our opinions on various topics, from politics to social issues.