Chapter 12 Flashcards
Definition and Purpose of a group
is defined as two or more individuals, interacting and interdependent, who have come together to achieve particular objectives
Formal groups
Groups that are created by an official authority, to fulfill the desired objective.
Informal groups
formed by the employees as per their likes, interests, and attitudes
Social norms
standards that govern what is expected in society (rules about how we behave)
Social Roles
Activities taken on by individuals for the benefit of the group
Self concept
refer to how someone thinks about, evaluates or perceives themselves. To be aware of oneself is to have a concept of oneself.
What shapes self concept
shaped by friends and family. They tell us what they like/dislike about us, provide feedback which shapes us
cooperation
involves people working together to reach a goal.
Competition
Competition involves working toward a goal while denying access to that goal to others. Competition can be between individuals or groups.
Realistic conflict theory
The theory that hostility between groups is caused by direct competition for limited resourcess
Robber’s cave experiment
Conducted by Muzaffar Sherif in 1954
Aimed to test two theories: -that when individuals with no prior relationships are brought together to interact for a common goal, they will form intuitively form an in-group.-if two in-groups which are formed are then brought into a relationship through competition, hostile attitudes towards the out-group and its members will arise.
Deindividuation
Abandoning the usual restraints of an individual to join in group behaviour.
Factors of deindividuation
Anonymity
Social Loafing
Putting less effort into the activity when in a group as compared to working alone
What causes social loafing
People acting as part of a group feel less accountable, and therefore worry less about what others think.
Group members may view their individual contributions as dispensable (Harkins & Szymanski, 1989; Kerr & Bruun, 1983).
When group members share equally in the benefits, regardless of how much they contribute, some may slack off (as you perhaps have observed on group assignments). Unless highly motivated and strongly identified with the group, people may free ride on others’ efforts.
