Me 4.3b Psychology of Social Situations: Group Behaviour Flashcards
Social facilitation
improved performance on simple tasks and
worsened performance on complex tasks in the presence of others
social loafing
the tendency for people in a group to exert less effort when pooling their efforts toward attaining a common
goal than when individually accountable.
Deindividuation
Loss of self-awareness and restraint in group settings through arousal and anonymity
Example: Anonymity in a crowd leading to aggressive behaviour
group polarisation
the enhancement of a group’s prevailing inclinations through discussion within the group.
groupthink
when the desire for harmony in a decision- making group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives.
culture
the enduring behaviours, ideas, attitudes, values, and traditions shared by a group of people and transmitted from one generation to the next.
Collectivism
Emphasises group goals and social harmony
Individualism
Emphasises personal goals and individual achievement
Multiculturalism
Recognises and values diverse cultural backgrounds
Example: Encouraging inclusion and respect for cultural differences
tight culture
a place with clearly defined and reliably imposed norms.
loose culture
a place with flexible and informal norms.
Cultural context
influences how individuals perceive and behave toward themselves and others
Diffusion of Responsibility
Reduced sense of personal responsibility in a group
Example: Bystanders not helping in an emergency, assuming others will act
culture shock
the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes
False Consensus Effect
Overestimating the extent to which others share one’s beliefs or behaviours
Example: Believing most people agree with one’s political views
Superordinate Goals
Goals that require cooperation and unite different groups
Example: People from different teams within a nation working together to win an international championship
Social Traps
Situations where individual self-interest leads to collective harm
Example: Overfishing depleting a shared resource.
