Group Processes Flashcards
Define Group
2 or more people who share a common characteristic that is SOCIALLY MEANINGFUL for themselves or others (e.g. Hogg et al, 2017)
Gender Differences in groups
Women seek membership in smaller, informal intimate groups whereas men seek membership in larger, more formal, task-focused groups
Define Common-Bond groups
Based on attachment between members
Egocentric principle = maximising reward for self and minimising costs (own contribution)
Personal goals are more salient/important
More intimate/close
Define Identity-Bond groups
Based on attachment to group
Altruistic principle of maximising groups’ rewards and minimising its cost by increasing own contribution
Group goals are more salient/important
Define Social Comparison
Gaining information from other people’s reactions (Festinger, 1954)
Ambiguous, confusing, circumstances
Psychological reaction (Negative emotions, Uncertainty, Need for information)
Affiliation and social comparison with others
Cognitive clarity
Define Downward Social Comparison (Tesser, 1998)
Choosing comparison targets who are performing poorly compared to oneself (boosts self-esteem)
Define Upwards Social Comparison
Choosing comparison targets who are performing better compared to oneself (increases optimism, elevates goals)
Define Social Loafing
Exert less effort on a task when an individual’s efforts are an unidentifiable part of a group effort than when the task is performed alone, when anonymous
Free-Rider Effect
Exploiting the group by not putting in any effort because you know another members of the group will do it
What is Groupthink (Janis and Mann, 1977)
Mode of thinking in highly cohesive groups
A desire to reach unanimous agreements overrides motivation to adopt rational decision making
e.g. Salem Witch Trial, persecutions, groupthink can be highly dangerous, increased discrimination, misinformation can be spread, change is hard to come about (1692-1693)
