Groups 1 Flashcards
How can the presence of others inhibit or enhance performance?
Inhibits on arithmetic, memory and difficult tasks. Enhanced on well-learned, simple tasks
Name the factors which affect social group decision making (4)
Being judged by others, pleasing the leader, not hurting people’s feelings, avoiding responsibility if things go wrong
Define groupthink
Style of thinking in which group cohesiveness and solidarity as more important than considering facts realistically
State the times when groupthink occur (3)
Group ruled by directive leader who makes wishes known, group is highly cohesive. Group isolates self from other viewpoints
Explain JFK Bay of Pigs
Kennedy + advisors approved covert invasion at Bay of Pigs. Lacked air support, ammo and escape route, died. Advisors were unwilling to challenge Kennedy’s ideas
What are the symptoms of groupthink?
Feel group is invulnerable, morally correct and can do no harm. Urge each other to conform to group’s decisions to reach consensus.
Describe self-censorship (6)
Withhold info that would go against popular views as they don’t want to bring down group moral, be kicked out or lose appraisal. Illusions of invulnerability, collective rationalism, stereotypes of outgroups, pressure on dissenters
Explain results of Michael’s study into observing pool players
Skilled began playing better when they are being watched, unskilled began playing worse
Define social-loafing
Less effort when on a group task in which individual contributions cannot be monitored
Summarise the reasons for social facilitation (3)
Mere presence - having others around makes us alert. Evaluation apprehension - if others can evaluate us, we have increased arousal as want to look good. Distraction-conflict theory - being aware of another person’s presence split attention between person and task
Explain Markus’ study focused on mere presence
Ppts put on special uniform either alone, with a person watching attentively or with repairmen with back to ppt. Took most time when watching attentively
What are the outcomes of groupthink?
Groups make better decisions to the extent group members have different opinions. Groupthink can lead to terrible decisions.
Describe Cottrell’s study on evaluation apprehension
10 nonsense words asked to pronounce either 1, 2, 5, 10 or 25 times making some more familiar. Told to identify words on screen either alone, with 2 students watching attentively or 2 blindfolded. Only affected by attentive audience
Antecedent conditions are…
High cohesiveness, insulation of group, lack of procedures for info search and appraisal, directive leadership, high stress
Describe motivation
Concurrence seeking
