Group processes and intergroup relations

Question 1

What is a group?

Answer 1

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)

Question 2

why we join groups

Answer 2

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

Question 3

why we join groups theorists

Answer 3

• people will affiliate with others even when there is no practical benefit (Baumeister & Leary, 1995)
• Robbers cave study (Sherif, Harvey, White, Hood, & Sherif, 1961)

Question 4

why we group
affiliation
superordinate

Answer 4

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)

Question 5

types of groups

Answer 5

1. . common-identity group
   - sharing category, e.g., woman, Conservative party etc.
2. common-bond group
   - sharing bonds and friends, e.g., friendship group, sports team group

Question 6

Cohesiveness (Barrett, 2017. pg. 437)

Answer 6

'’the strength of the bonds that hold group members together and keep them a group’’

Question 7

entitativity

Answer 7

'’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)

Question 8

social norms

Answer 8

typically unwritten rules about how people should behave

Question 9

roles

Answer 9

• roles may be voluntary or involuntary

- groups more effective when roles are clearly defined

Question 10

prototypical leaders

Answer 10

• follow group norms closely
• trusted more
• more persuasive
• perceived as charismatic
• perceived as highly effective

Question 11

highly cohesive groups

Answer 11

• common-identity
• tight bonds
• strong norms
• clear roles
• prototypical leaders

Question 12

social facilitation

Answer 12

-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

Question 13

explaining social facilitation

Answer 13

mere presence
-audience and co-action
evaluation apprehension
-worry about performance 
distraction conflict theory 
-distraction increases arousal

Question 14

social loafing

Answer 14

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’’

Question 15

deindividuation

Answer 15

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

Question 16

social identity theory

Answer 16

• 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

Question 17

how do groups influence physical health

Answer 17

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

Question 18

group and mental health (mediation effect)

Answer 18

-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

Question 19

groups and mental health, Elahi, Mclntyre, et al., 2018

Answer 19

continuous cycle of:
self esteem > mental health > financial stress
added extra along the way for example, neighbourhood identity

Question 20

groups and mental health among people from Africa and African-carribbean backgrounds

Answer 20

Mcltyre, Elahi, Barlow, White, & Bentall (2019)

Question 21

Groups and mental health- stress buffer hypothesis summary

Answer 21

• 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

Question 22

group think

Answer 22

“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)

Question 23

group polarisation

Answer 23

'’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)

Question 24

brainstorming

Answer 24

“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)

Question 25

minority influence

Answer 25

'’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

Question 26

leadership

Answer 26

'’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

Question 27

transformation leadership

Answer 27

'’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

Question 28

gender and leadership

Answer 28

the glass cliff (Ryan, 2005)