ABSTRACT
Consider the vast array of social forces that guide behavior. In modern societies, these include but are not limited to formal social institutions and bureaucratic agencies (e.g., criminal justice systems, religious organizations, colleges and universities), informal social norms (of politeness, reciprocity, honesty, etc.), and the real or imagined individuals who act as meaningful referent others (e.g., parents, peers, gods). Each of these can be viewed as an “influence system” or “agent of influence” that introduces regulatory standards. These standards might then be internalized by the individuals who are targeted, shaping how they later act across a wide range of situations.
