Final answer:
People pressure others using social pressures to encourage participation in collective activities for public good, leading to conformity and free riding prevention. Cognitive dissonance can arise when actions do not align with personal beliefs. Groupthink, discrimination, and prejudice can also result from group pressures.
Step-by-step explanation:
People might pressure others for several reasons. Social pressures and personal appeals are often used to influence individuals' behavior for the collective good. In the context of communities or associations, pressure is often exerted to encourage participation in activities like beautification projects or fundraising efforts for local charities, where the outcome produces a public benefit. This type of pressure functions as a way to discourage free riding and ensures that everyone contributes to communal goals.
Furthermore, individuals might apply pressure to achieve conformity, as seen in Solomon Asch's experiments which showcase the strong desire to fit in with a group. These pressures can lead to cognitive dissonance where someone's actions conflict with their personal beliefs, prompting changes in behavior, attitudes, or cognitions to alleviate the tension. Additionally, authority figures exert influence which can lead to obedience, even when it contradicts personal values. This can result in groupthink, discrimination, and prejudice, particularly when group pressures involve negative evaluations towards out-groups.