Group Influence Flashcards

1
Q

Textbook definition of a group

A

Two or more people who, for longer than a few moments, interact with and influence one another, and perceive one another as ‘us’

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Two reasons why we join groups

A

1) Evolutionary advantage

2) The need to belong

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Evolutionary advantage to joining groups

A

People who formed attachments with others were more likely to survive and also more likely to find a mate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

The need to belong when joining groups

A

We need positive interactions and a stable bond. A fundamental need

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Being rejected or ostracized by a group can not only be psychologically painful but can also…

A

mimic the experience of physical pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

A causal relationship was shown between the idea of exclusion and a host of different dependent measures such as…

A

Making healthy choices, engaging in cognitively effortful tasks, feeling psychologically undone, engaging in prosocial behaviours, and showing self-regulatory capacity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

The 3 effects of groups on performance

A
  1. Social facilitation
  2. Social loafing
  3. Deindividuation
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Social facilitation theory

A

The presence of others sometimes helps performance and sometimes hinders it

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

the presence of others increases arousal, which increases the…

A

dominant response tendencies of an individual (Zajonc)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

On simple or well-learned tasks the dominant is response is the _______ response which ultimately _________ performance

A

correct, facilitates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

On difficult or novel tasks the dominant response is the ________ response which ultimately _______ performance

A

incorrect, impaires

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Mechanisms underlying social facilitation

A
  1. Mere presence (cause us to do better or worse when other people are present)
  2. Evaluation apprehension (need to worry about what others are thinking of us)
  3. Distraction (distraction can cause us to do better or worse)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Social loafing

A

In a task where many people work together, such as a tug-of-war, there is an inverse relationship between the number of people in the group, and the amount of work that every member does

Each person works less when there are more people in the group

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Why does social loafing occur?

A
  1. Diffusion of responsibility
  2. Reduced evaluation apprehension
  3. Norms change; we don’t want to be the only one putting in all the work
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Social facilitation and social loafing depends upon whether

A

Individual contributions can be identified

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

If individual contributions can be identified _______ occurs

A

social facilitation

17
Q

If individual contributions CANNOT be identified ______ occurs

A

social loafing

18
Q

What is an evidence based way to reduce social loafing?

A

Have team members’ work be identifiable

19
Q

Deindividuation

A

The loss of a person’s sense of individuality and the reduction of normal constraints against deviant behaviour

20
Q

What conditions does Zimbardo’s model of deindividuation cover?

A

Conditions that can lead to deindividuation, psychological state that accompanies deindividuation, and the outcomes and behavioural effects

21
Q

Conditions that lead to deindividuation

A

Anonymity, diffusion of responsibility, arousal around others, stimulus overload

22
Q

Psychological state of deindividuation

A

Decreased sense of self, less concern about evaluations, weaker inhibiting forces

23
Q

Behavioural outcomes of deindividuation

A

Impulsivity, irrational, emotional, antisocial

24
Q

What is a current real life example of deindividuation

A

Internet bullying

25
Group polarization
The process where the initial tendencies in the thinking of group members get exaggerated through group discussion
26
Why does group polarization occur?
Persuasive arguments and social comparison
27
Group polarization and persuasive arguments
Were exposed to more persuasive arguments than we would come up with on our own
28
Group polarization and social comparison
We see what the emerging consensus is and we assume it to be the best choice
29
Groupthink (Irving Janis)
The tendency for people to all think the same thing. This is because group members seek agreement and harmony
30
5 conditions associated with groupthink
1) High cohesiveness 2) Isolation from outsiders 3) Lack of procedures 4) Directive leadership 5) Stressful situation
31
Illusions of invulnerability
Symptom of groupthink. Convinced they are making the right decision
32
Collective rationalization
Symptom of groupthink | When members of the group are all making the same decision. Convince themselves they are doing the right thing
33
Direct pressure on dissenters
Symptom of groupthink | People who raise objectives in the group might get pressure from others
34
Self-censorship
Symptom of groupthink | People are afraid to raise objections because of social consequences
35
Illusion of uniformity
Symptom of groupthink | Pluralistic ignorance
36
4 outcomes of group think
1) Incomplete consideration of alternatives 2) Failure to consider risks of preferred choice 3) Failure to reconsider initially rejected options 4) Failure to develop contingency plans
37
How can groupthink be avoided?
Groups leader does not announce opinions at start of discussion Have some members join the group discussion at a later stage, solicit outside opinions Appoint a person specifically tasked to play "devil's advocate"