Group Influence

Question 1

Textbook definition of a group

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Two reasons why we join groups

Answer 2

1) Evolutionary advantage

2) The need to belong

Question 3

Evolutionary advantage to joining groups

Answer 3

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

Question 4

The need to belong when joining groups

Answer 4

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

Question 5

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

Answer 5

mimic the experience of physical pain

Question 6

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

Answer 6

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

Question 7

The 3 effects of groups on performance

Answer 7

1. Social facilitation
2. Social loafing
3. Deindividuation

Question 8

Social facilitation theory

Answer 8

The presence of others sometimes helps performance and sometimes hinders it

Question 9

the presence of others increases arousal, which increases the…

Answer 9

dominant response tendencies of an individual (Zajonc)

Question 10

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

Answer 10

correct, facilitates

Question 11

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

Answer 11

incorrect, impaires

Question 12

Mechanisms underlying social facilitation

Answer 12

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)

Question 13

Social loafing

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Why does social loafing occur?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Social facilitation and social loafing depends upon whether

Answer 15

Individual contributions can be identified

Question 16

If individual contributions can be identified _______ occurs

Answer 16

social facilitation

Question 17

If individual contributions CANNOT be identified ______ occurs

Answer 17

social loafing

Question 18

What is an evidence based way to reduce social loafing?

Answer 18

Have team members’ work be identifiable

Question 19

Deindividuation

Answer 19

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

Question 20

What conditions does Zimbardo’s model of deindividuation cover?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Conditions that lead to deindividuation

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Psychological state of deindividuation

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Behavioural outcomes of deindividuation

Answer 23

Impulsivity, irrational, emotional, antisocial

Question 24

What is a current real life example of deindividuation

Answer 24

Internet bullying

Question 25

Group polarization

Answer 25

The process where the initial tendencies in the thinking of group members get exaggerated through group discussion

Question 26

Why does group polarization occur?

Answer 26

Persuasive arguments and social comparison

Question 27

Group polarization and persuasive arguments

Answer 27

Were exposed to more persuasive arguments than we would come up with on our own

Question 28

Group polarization and social comparison

Answer 28

We see what the emerging consensus is and we assume it to be the best choice

Question 29

Groupthink (Irving Janis)

Answer 29

The tendency for people to all think the same thing. This is because group members seek agreement and harmony

Question 30

5 conditions associated with groupthink

Answer 30

1) High cohesiveness
2) Isolation from outsiders
3) Lack of procedures
4) Directive leadership
5) Stressful situation

Question 31

Illusions of invulnerability

Answer 31

Symptom of groupthink. Convinced they are making the right decision

Question 32

Collective rationalization

Answer 32

Symptom of groupthink

When members of the group are all making the same decision. Convince themselves they are doing the right thing

Question 33

Direct pressure on dissenters

Answer 33

Symptom of groupthink

People who raise objectives in the group might get pressure from others

Question 34

Self-censorship

Answer 34

Symptom of groupthink

People are afraid to raise objections because of social consequences

Question 35

Illusion of uniformity

Answer 35

Symptom of groupthink

Pluralistic ignorance

Question 36

4 outcomes of group think

Answer 36

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

Question 37

How can groupthink be avoided?

Answer 37

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”