Group Dynamics Flashcards
Group definition
A group consists of at least two individuals who perceive
themselves as members of that group and the group is recognized
for at least one other.
Deindividuation
refers to the sense of anonymity that individuals
experience when they act as part of a group. Sometimes engaging in extreme behaviour.
Group behavior
group´s behaviour is directly influenced by the individulas within the group.
our views may change, even the perception of
ourselves changes as a result of the unique combination of the individuals and group norms in that group.
Social exchange theory 3
Homans (1950)
1. People want to join a group that offers them a maximum reward. This cost-benefit goes both ways s the group also wants the best of you
- Postivie experiences will encourage you to select a similar group while negatives the opposite
- Choosing the right grip is important as it shapes self concept and self esteem
Cooperation vs competition
Cooperative styles
Effective communication where members of the group feel free to voice their opinions.
Group members help other group members.
There is a division of labour and a clear setting of group goals.
There is a sense of basic similarity in beliefs and values.
Everyone’s needs are valid and worth addressing.
Compettive styles
Communication is reduced as there is a lack of trust in the group. Members withhold information in order to gain an advantage.
Suspicion of others’ intentions. There is a focus on individuals’ negative traits, rather than the positive traits.
Less productive as there is a lack of trust that means that it is difficult to divide a task among members.
Rejection of others’ ideas leading to lower self-esteem and confidence.
Members see other members’ success as a threat to their position in the group.
Thinking is rigid and does not welcome compromise.
Realistic Group conflict theory
Campbell (1965) aims to explain intergroup conflict
State that conflic occurs when
Groups opposing goals and when they are competing for limited resources.
Leads to developing ingroup norms and displaying ingroup favoritism that encourages negative stereotypes towards outgroup
When groups have similar goals and success requeires cooperarion, stereotypes are reduced
Prejudice
Pre-existing attitude towards and individual or group of people
Stereotypes
Generalizations applied to group of people used by individuals to make sense of the world
Discrimination
is the unfair treatment of another group based upon the groups membership
Racism
Form of discrimination that provides advantages to ones own ingroup and disadvantaes or harm to the outgrip that is defined by racial charactertistcs
What is the Implicit association test (IAT)
To be able to study racism, prejudice and stereotyping IAT shades light on the problem
MEasure our hidden biases if we have positive or negative associations towards social groups based on ethnicity, gendre..
Anti migration bias
Competition for resources such as jobs, health care and other
resources can create a negative reaction towards the incoming
population.
If members of the host country perceive a threat to their status and
valued resources, they can begin to discriminate against the new
migrant population.
Ethnic competition theory and inter-group contact theory
ethnic competition theory states that the larger the outgroup is, the
greater the threat from the in group.
inter-group contact theory claims that if the outgroup is large then
the ingroup will have more opportunities to get to know them and become
friends.
Male Warrior hypotheiss
claims that men possess psychological mechanisms that predisose them to planning, initiating and execiting acts of agression in order to protect or aquire reprodcutive success (women)
Frustration aggression hypothesis
According to them aggresive behaviour is a result
of frustration when we cannot achieve our goals.
Frustration must be released (eg. via exercise, art,
etc), when is not released conflict may occur.
Normally this tension is released towards weaker
or minority groups.
