Social influence

St. Paul defends his preaching (Giovanni Ricco).

The Apostle Paul taught: "Do not be deceived:‘Bad company ruins good morals.’" (1 Corinthians 15:33).

According to ScienceDirect and the International Encyclopedia of Education: "Social influence refers to the phenomenon where an individual's behaviors, opinions, or beliefs change as a result of their network ties, often becoming more similar to those with whom they are connected." The Royal Society indicates: "Social learning is fundamental to human development, helping individuals adapt to changing circumstances and cooperate in groups. During the formative years of adolescence, the social environment shapes people's socio-cognitive skills needed in adulthood."

Social influence and Christianity

The Apostle Paul taught: "Do not be deceived:‘Bad company ruins good morals.’" (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Positive social influence and developing more positive thinking

See also: Positive thinking and Self-talk

According to the Mayo Clinic, surrounding yourself with positive people helps foster positive thinking.

Making one's self-talk employ more positive thinking and employing more constructive/realistic/problem solving/creative thinking is better for one's physical/mental health and increases one's performance at tasks.

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Positive thinking just means that you approach unpleasantness in a more positive and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst."

Journal and academic articles

• Positive Social Norms: Research Review, University of Minnesota

• Following the Majority: Social Influence in Trusting Behavior, Frontiers in Science, 2019