Influence of Others Flashcards
Norman Triplett
- First formal study of social psychology in 1898
- Hypothesized that the mere presence of others was an important variable in the performance of the actor
- ex. cyclists perform better when racing against others
Co-Actor
Another individual performing the same task
Audience
A group of people watching an individual perform a task
Facilitation
The increased performance that occurs in the presence of co-actors or an audience
Zajonc’s Resolution
- Presence of others increases arousal
- heightened arousal either benefits or hinders
- tasks you are expert in = performance enhanced
- tasks you are not expert in = hindered performance
Social Learning Theory
- We learn appropriate behaviours by modelling and imitating the behaviours of others
- Cognitive skill such as language is acquired in children
Albert Bandura
- Behaviours we learn from others do not always require explicit reinforcement (unlike basic conditioning)
- Bobo doll experiment
Autokinetic Effect
- Muzafer Sherif
- Perceptual illusion where one had to track where a dot moved
- Trick: dot did not actually move
- If in a group over several days: results converged with what the other group members thought
Norm Formation
Leads to convergence in behaviour, even in the presence of outliers
Asch’s Stimuli
- One sample line and three comparison lines - identify which comparison lines matches the standard
- only one of the participants is actual test subject
- 75% conformed to an incorrect answer on at least one trial
Normative Function
The role of others in setting standards for out conduct based on a fear of rejection
Comparative Function
- Role of others in providing information about an - ambiguous situation
- Subjects doubt their own perceptions when it conflicts with that of others
The Risky Shift
- James Stoner
- Group decisions were typically riskier than the mean of the prior individual decisions
- Not all groups resulted in riskier decisions
Group Polarization
Group decision making strengthens the original inclinations of the individual group members
Groupthink
- Irving Janis
- group decision making environment that occurs when group cohesiveness becomes so strong it overrides realistic appraisals of reality and alternative opinions
- they to critically test, analyze and evaluate ideas of the group
The Bystander Effect
- Refers to the fact that the greater number of bystanders in an emergency, the less likely any one bystander will help
- Kitty Genovese
Collective Ignorance
- When each individual in a group see nobody responding in a given situation, they conclude that the situation is not an emergency
Diffusion of Responsibility
- In deciding whether we have to act, we determine that someone else in the group if more qualified
Social Loafing
- Individuals seem to be less motivated when working in a group than when working alone
Foot in the Door Effect
- Gradually escalating demands will increase agreement
Low-ball Technique
- Revealing hidden additional costs associated with an agreement after someone has already agreed
