Final answer:
The correct option is a. normative social influence
Dressing up to go to church on Sunday is most closely related to normative social influence, where individuals conform to group norms to be accepted. This contrasts with informational social influence, which is based on the belief that a group has correct information. Normative influences drive behavior in social settings, including religious services and peer fashion choices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The act of "dressing up" to go to church on Sunday is most closely related to normative social influence. This is the process where individuals conform to group norms to fit in, feel good, and be accepted by the group.
In contrast, informational social influence occurs when people conform because they believe the group has the correct information, especially in ambiguous situations. The famous Asch experiment revealed that normative social influence leads to conformity as individuals in the experiments complied with the group to fit in and avoid ridicule, even when the correct answer was evident.
When it comes to clothing choices, like dressing for church or in teenage fashion, normative social influence is often a major factor. It compels people to adhere to social norms to avoid standing out negatively. In both instances—whether adhering to dress codes for religious services or for social acceptance among peers—normative social influence is operating to shape behavior.