Leadership and Power Flashcards
What does group polarisation cause?
after group discussion
early work, showed signs that after discussion people held more extreme positions.. that there was a ‘Risky Shift’
Later work showed that there isn’t necessarily a Risky Shift, rather that views come out more polarised (become extreme in the direction that the initial average was found)
What did Myers and Bishops 1970 study find out about group polarisation?
dot white high school students to complete a questionnaire that assessed their prejudices against black people. The individuals were then split into groups of like-minded people (high or low prejudice score).
After a group discussion they then reassessed their attitudes
attitudes became more extreme is the direction of the initial group average, supporting the idea of group polarisation
Group Polarisation has three explanations
1) persuasive arguments
2) social comparison
3) social identity
how does persuasive arguments explain group polarisation?
It is based off of informational influence. That people in the group want to be right and by pairing them with other like-minded people it strengthens their own opinions. They are also exposed to other arguments and novel reasons that favour their position
how does social comparison explain group polarisation?
based on normative influence. we compare our views with relevant others because we want to gain approval and expressed opinions approved by others. Since you are in a group with like-minded people we express stronger opinions to be liked.
how does social identity explain group polarisation?
This explanation acknowledges th importance of persuasive arguments but also adds in the dimension of ones group membership. If you see yourself as anti-abortion then you will express these opinions as the group membership is important to you and go against the opinion of the outgrip
what is referent informational influence?
a process whereby individuals identify with a group and conform to the groups prototypical position
what is the in-group sensitivity effect?
criticism of the group is more acceptable when it comes from an in-group member
How does the great man theory explain how we assign leaders?
what marks out a leader
The great man theory is the idea that leaders are endowed with certain qualities that set them apart from others, these qualities enable them to lead
Charisma is often seen as a personality trait identified in leaders
How do contingency theories explain how we assign leaders?
what kind of leaders suit a situation
Contingency theories attempt to explain how the same personal qualities bit be good in some situations and bad in others
That we match between leader and situation
How does the social identity approach explain how we assign leaders
(what group processes make leadership happen)
explains that leaders must be prototypical (of the group) and be seen to promote group interests
they must be seen as fair, trusted, charismatic and creative whilst always supporting the group
fielder’s contingency theory states ..
there are two types of leaders: task orientated and relationship orientated
there are two situations: high or low situational control
In high situational control means there are positive relations between the leader and the team and the task is clear
for low or high situational control, task orientated leaders are the most effective
for intermediate situational control, relationship orientated are the best
how are leaders entrepreneurs of identity?
leaders actively craft a sense of shared identity
the define themselves and the group in a way that they are seen as prototypical
they are able to present their agenda as being in line with group norms
3 process theory of power explains..
leaders can create power through persuasion
leaders can create power through control, getting people to do what you want even though they are not persuaded
this can be done through authority (in group norms) or through coercion (take control against their will)
