Influence Without Reason: How Religious Identity and Emotion Shape Catholics’ Social Conservatism

Citizens often feel pressured to adopt the beliefs held by their peers, conforming to the views of the majority even in the absence of rational argument. However, few scholars have investigated the mechanisms underlying this “mindless” conformity to group pressure. Drawing on recent research in psychology, this manuscript puts forward a new theory of group influence called Social-Emotional Influence Theory which states that subjective group identification and self-conscious emotions (e.g., pride and shame) are critical to understanding political conformity. We feel pride when we conform to, and shame when we deviate from, in-group beliefs and behaviors; these emotional reactions motivate conformity. SEI Theory is tested with an experimental study of group influence among Midwestern American Catholics with respect to social conservatism. The evidence supports SEI theory: Identification with other Catholics mediated group influence over participants’ conservative views, and self-conscious emotions appeared to play a key role in explaining that influence.