Group processes and intergroup relations Flashcards
What is a group?
Social Sciences
“Two or more individuals who perceive themselves as part of a unit and who influence each other and are interdependent” (Barrett, 2017. pg. 434)
Social identity
“A group is defined in terms of those who identify as members of the group” (Reicher, 1982)
why we join groups
Humans are social beings, it is hard to imagine life without belonging to come kind of group with others
-closeness: building bonds among people
-support: emotional and practical support
achievement of personal objectives: enjoyment and prestige
achievement of goals: awards and experiences
why we join groups theorists
- people will affiliate with others even when there is no practical benefit (Baumeister & Leary, 1995)
- Robbers cave study (Sherif, Harvey, White, Hood, & Sherif, 1961)
why we group
affiliation
superordinate
group affiliation initially unintended negative consequences
-threats and aggression
-hyper-competitiveness
creation of superordinate group realigned goals and values
-reduced hostility
-new superordinate
-increased teamwork and camaraderie (to some extent)
types of groups
- . common-identity group
- sharing category, e.g., woman, Conservative party etc. - common-bond group
- sharing bonds and friends, e.g., friendship group, sports team group
Cohesiveness (Barrett, 2017. pg. 437)
'’the strength of the bonds that hold group members together and keep them a group’’
entitativity
'’the degree to which people outside of the group can recognise members as being part of the group’’
associated with…
-increased collective self-esteem (Bougie et al., 2011)
-increased donations (Smith, Faro & Burson, 2013)
-increased xenophobia (Ommundsen et al., 2013)
social norms
typically unwritten rules about how people should behave
roles
- roles may be voluntary or involuntary
- groups more effective when roles are clearly defined
prototypical leaders
- follow group norms closely
- trusted more
- more persuasive
- perceived as charismatic
- perceived as highly effective
highly cohesive groups
- common-identity
- tight bonds
- strong norms
- clear roles
- prototypical leaders
social facilitation
-co-action effect, Triplett, 1898
-zajonc’s theory (1965)
presence of others > increased in arousal > dominant response more likely = if dominant correct, performance enhance or if dominant incorrect, performance impaired
explaining social facilitation
mere presence -audience and co-action evaluation apprehension -worry about performance distraction conflict theory -distraction increases arousal
social loafing
presence of others can decrease out performance on group tasks: when more people join a group task, less individual effort is needed to complete
‘‘ringlemann effect’’
deindividuation
a psychological state when people come immersed in the group they lose self-awareness and responsibility most likely when there is... -anonymity -low risk of accountability/consequences -increased arousal -alcohol and drugs
social identity theory
- we incorporate groups into our identity or sense of self
- we show strong preferences for any group that we belong to
- minimal groups paradigm shows strength of effect
how do groups influence physical health
behavioural explanation
-spouses tend to monitor/influence partners health behaviours (Lillard & Waite, 1995)
psychosocial explanation
-social support group
-groups > personal control > healthier behaviours
physiological explanation
-supportive interaction improve CV and immune function
group and mental health (mediation effect)
-Cruwys, South, Greenaway, Haslam, 2015
lack of identification with group > negative self-attribution > depression
-Mclntyre, Wickman, Barr & Bentall, 2017
lack of identification with group > low self-esteem > paranoid and depression
groups and mental health, Elahi, Mclntyre, et al., 2018
continuous cycle of:
self esteem > mental health > financial stress
added extra along the way for example, neighbourhood identity
groups and mental health among people from Africa and African-carribbean backgrounds
Mcltyre, Elahi, Barlow, White, & Bentall (2019)
Groups and mental health- stress buffer hypothesis summary
- stressors (e.g., financial stress, negative contact) lead to mental health symptoms
- group identities can help buffer people from negative effects of stress on mental health
- the relationship between group identities and mental health can depend on your social interactions with people representing that identity
group think
“Faulty thinking in groups that strive to maintain cohesion and achieve unanimity at the expense of adequately evaluating the information and options available to the group”
(Barrett, 2017. pg. 451)
group polarisation
'’tendency for group to enhance the initial learnings of the individuals prior to discussion (Barrett, 2017. pg. 454)
- social comparison
- jury decision making (Schkade, Sunstein, & Kahnemann, 2000)
brainstorming
“Procedure in which members of a group are encouraged to generate as many ideas as they can within a specific amount of time”
(Barrett, 2017. pg. 459)
minority influence
'’When a numerical minority in a group changes the attitudes, beliefs or behaviours of the majority” (Barrett, 2017. pg. 461)
key influences:
1. consistency: be consistent in your message
2. confidence: have confidence in the validity of the views you are presenting
3. appearing to be unbiased: show that you will not receive any clear personal benefit, only the group will benefit
4. resist social pressure an abuse from opponents
leadership
'’leadership is the process in which a person influences a group towards a common goal’’ (Barrett, 2017. pg. 464)
task relationship model:
-task orientated
-relationship-orientated
transformation leadership
'’a process where leaders and their followers raise one another to higher levels of morality and motivation’’ (Burns, 1978)
- Stir emotions in people
- Have a compelling vision
- Inspire people to reach for improbable goals
- Provide support and recognition for followers
- Are a model of integrity and fairness
- Get people to look beyond their self-interest
gender and leadership
the glass cliff (Ryan, 2005)
