8.1 group psychology

Question 1

Michelangelo phenomenon

Answer 1

the concept of self is made up of both the intrapersonal self (the ideas an individual has about their own abilities, traits, and beliefs) and the interpersonal self (the way in which others influence one’s self)

Question 2

social action

Answer 2

the actions and behaviours that individuals are conscious of and performing because others are around; humans behave differently depending upon their social environment

Question 3

social interaction

Answer 3

examines the behaviour and actions of 2 or more individuals who take one another into account

Question 4

social facilitation

Answer 4

the tendency to perform better on simple tasks when in the presence of others

Question 5

Yerke’s dodson law of social facilitation

Answer 5

says that being in the presene of others significiantly raises arousal, which enhances the ability to perform tasks that someone is already good at and hinders the performace of less familiar tasks

Question 6

deindividuation

Answer 6

those in a group are more likely to act inappropriately because the crowd provides anonymity and causes a loss of individual identity; the crowd decreases ones inhibitions/guilt; can lead to antinormative behaviour (ex. Riots)

Question 7

bystander effect

Answer 7

a phenomenon where individuals do not intervene to help victoms when others are present

Question 8

diffusion of responsibility theory

Answer 8

explains the bystander effect; when in a crowd, individuals feel less personal responsibilty to help

Question 9

social loafing

Answer 9

the tendency of individuals to put in less effort when in a group setting/task than individually

Question 10

peer pressure

Answer 10

the social influence placed on an individual by a group of people or another individual

Question 11

peers

Answer 11

individuals who are equals within a social group

Question 12

identity shift effect

Answer 12

explains peer pressure mechanism; an individual often conforms to the norms of the group when they feel a threat of social rejection

Question 13

cognitive dissonance

Answer 13

the state of having inconsistent/conflicting thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes; leads to internal discomfort

Question 14

group polarization

Answer 14

the tendency for groups to make decisions that are more extreme than the individual ideas and inclinations of the members within the group

Question 15

confirmation bias

Answer 15

the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms or supports one’s prior beliefs or values

Question 16

risky shift

Answer 16

a specific type of choice shift; the tendency for groups to make riskier decisions than individuals

Question 17

choice shift

Answer 17

a change in an individual’s choices or decisions that occurs as a result of group discussion; could result in more risk or more caution

Question 18

groupthink

Answer 18

a phenomenon where desire for gorup harmony results in a group coming to an incorrect or poor decision

Question 19

fad

Answer 19

something that becomes very popular very quickly, but loses popularity just as quickly

Question 20

mad hysteria

Answer 20

when a large number of people experience delusions at same time; often reaches more people through rumours and fear; ex. panic reactions and negative news

Question 21

culture

Answer 21

the beliefs, behaviours, actions, and characteristics of a group or society of people

Question 22

assimilation

Answer 22

the process by which an individuals or groups behaviour and culture begin to resemble that of another group

Question 23

ethnic enclaves

Answer 23

locations (usually neightbourhoods) with a high concentration of one specific ethnicity (ex. China town)

Question 24

multiculturalism

Answer 24

the celebration and enhancement of cultural diversity within a society

Question 25

subcultures

Answer 25

groups of people within a culture that distinguish themselves from the primary culture to which they belong; different in some way, but still share similarities with the larger society

Question 26

microculture

Answer 26

can’t support people throughout their lifespan, refers to groups/organizations only affecting limited period of one’s life (ex. Girl scouts)

Question 27

counter culture

Answer 27

when a subculture gravitates towards an identity that is at odds with the majority culture and deliberately opposes the pravailing societal mores