Chapter 14

Question 1

What Groups Are

Answer 1

Groups are two or more people doing or being something together

• Groups feel similar to one another
• Presence of an outgroup

Question 2

What groups Do

Answer 2

Social Groups

Cultural Groups

Question 3

Groups, Roles, and Selves

Answer 3

Complementary roles produce better results than having each member do the same thing
- Human roles work in context of the larger system where most people do other things

Question 4

Group Action

Answer 4

Theory of social facilitation
- Presence of others increases arousal
- Arousal increases dominant response
Presence of others can improve people’s performance, especially familiar, easy tasks

Question 5

Social Loafing

Answer 5

People reduce effort when working in a group

When one’s cooperation is unique to the group, less likely to a loaf

Question 6

Deindividuation and Mob Violence

Answer 6

Deindividuation can lead to antisocial behavior

Accountability is best predictor of aggression

Question 7

How Groups Think

Answer 7

Brainstorming

• People enjoy the process and evaluate it favorably
• Output is lower than individuals working alone

Collective wisdom of group is better than individual experts
- People must act as independence members of a group and share their diverse information.

Question 8

Groupthink

Answer 8

Tendency of group members to think alike

• Specifically group clings to shared but flawed view rather than being open to the truth
• Roots in desire to get along

Question 9

Committees

Answer 9

Why aren’t committees effective?

• Group harmony stifles free exchange of information
• Focus on common knowledge rather than unique information people have

Question 10

Group Polarization and Risky Shift

Answer 10

Risky shift
- Group is willing to take greater risks than individuals (on average)
Group polarization effect
- Movement toward either extreme (risk or caution) resulting from group discussion