chapter 12: groups

Question 1

define

encephalization quotient

Answer 1

ratio of brain weight of an animal to that predicted for a comprable animal of the same body size

Question 2

answer

what is the human encephalization quotient

Answer 2

4.6

Question 3

define

social brain hypothesis

Answer 3

primates that were most successful @ navigating intricate/elaborate webs of social relationships would have been more likely to attract mates, secure resources, and protect themselves/offspring from danger

Question 4

define

social facilitation

Answer 4

the effect, positive or negative, of the presence of others

Question 5

explain

the 1st social psyc experiment

Answer 5

triplett (1898) found that cyclist recorded faster times when competing against others than alone

Question 6

define

zajonc’s theory of mere prescence

Answer 6

the prescence of others increases arousal, and arousal increases an individuals dominant response

Question 7

define

evaluation apprehension

Answer 7

people concern abt how they might appear to others, fear of being judged by them

Question 8

define

social loafing

Answer 8

tendency to exert less effort when working on a group project in which individual contributions cannot contributions

Question 9

list

times when social loafing is least likely to happen

Answer 9

• task is challenging/appealing
• group members are percieved as unreliable
• members are convinced their efforts will pay off
• group members feel close to other members

Question 10

true or false

people assume groups will make better decisions

Answer 10

true

Question 11

define

group think

Answer 11

groups that are highly cohesive can produce poor group decisions bc maintaining group harmony may be emphasized over making an accurate judgments

Question 12

list

symptoms of groupthink

Answer 12

• illusion of vulnerablity
• belief group is morally superior
• collective rationalization
• stereotyped view of opponent
• conformity pressure
• self-censorship
• illusion of unanimity

Question 13

define

illusion of vulnerability

Answer 13

optimism that blinds group to warnings of danger

Question 14

define

collective rationalization

Answer 14

convince themselves they are correct

Question 15

define

conformity pressure

Answer 15

normative social pressure to not get out of line

Question 16

define

mindguards

Answer 16

people who serve the purpose of keeping people in line

Question 17

list

ways to prevent group think

Answer 17

• be impartial leader
• encourage critical evaluation
• subdivide
• welcome critiques from outside experts
• second chance meetings

Question 18

define

group polarization

Answer 18

• tendency for group decisions to become more extreme than those made by individuals.
• whichever the way the indivuals are leaning, group discussions makes them lean further

Question 19

define

informational influence

Answer 19

• the group gives individuals info they didn’t have before

Question 20

define

normative influences

Answer 20

“peer pressure”; individuals want to at least fit in but ideally show some influence

Question 21

define

social comparison

Answer 21

if others express similiar opinions to us, we make take a more extreme position to differentiate ourselves

Question 22

list

people who become leaders

Answer 22

• expert and skilled related to group goal
• can provide rewards to group members
• can make the group run smoothly
• have social skills to build strong, cooperative relationships

Question 23

list

elements of power

Answer 23

• power
• status
• authority
• dominance

Question 24

define

power

Answer 24

ability to control ones own outcomes and those of others

Question 25

define:

status

Answer 25

the outcome of an evaluation of attributes that produce differences in respect and prominence, and which contribute to determining a person power within the group

Question 26

define

authority

Answer 26

power that derives from institutionalized roles or arrangements

Question 27

define

dominance

Answer 27

bx enacted with goal of acquiring or demonstrating power

Question 28

define

approach/inhibition theory of power

Answer 28

• high power individuals are inclined to go after their goals and make quick judgments
• low power people are more likely to constrain their bx and pay careful attention to others

Question 29

define

deinviduation

Answer 29

a reduced sense of your own individual identity accompanied by diminished self-regulation that comes over people when they are in a large group

Question 30

define

diffusion of responsiblity

Answer 30

feeling like you will not get caught; actions cannot be traced back to you

Question 31

define

individuation

Answer 31

enhanced sense of individual identity produced by focusing attention on the self, which generally leads people to act out carefully and deliberately an in accordance w their sense of propriety and values

Question 32

define

self- awareness theory

Answer 32

maintians that when people focus their attention inward on themselves, they become concerned with sekf evaluation and how their current bx conforms to their internal standards and values

Question 33

define

spotlight effect

Answer 33

individuals conviction that other people are paying attention to them more than they actually are