Which term describes the social influence exerted by a dominant group?

The term that describes the social influence exerted by a dominant group is cultural hegemony. This concept, developed by the Italian Marxist philosopher Antonio Gramsci, refers to the way in which the ruling class or dominant group establishes and maintains control over society's value systems and norms, thereby shaping beliefs, perspectives, and behaviors in a way that ensures their continued dominance.

Cultural hegemony goes beyond mere political or economic power; it involves the shaping of cultural norms and values so that they reflect and support the interests of the dominant group while appearing to be the universally accepted norm. This allows the dominant group to maintain control not just through coercive means, but also by gaining consent from subordinate groups, who may accept these values as part of their own identity.

While ideological control, media monopolization, and economic dominance could all be aspects of cultural hegemony, they represent specific dimensions or vehicles through which cultural hegemony can be exerted. Cultural hegemony encapsulates the broader phenomenon of how dominant groups influence and control societal norms and values.