PSY1001 SEMESTER 2 - WEEK 6

Question 1

define group categorisation

Answer 1

2 or more individuals who perceive themselves to be members of same social category

Question 2

define group communication

Answer 2

2 or more people who think of themselves as a group, are interdependent and communicate with one another

Question 3

define group influence

Answer 3

2 or more persons who are interacting with one another in such manner that person influences and is influenced by each other person

Question 4

define shared identity

Answer 4

2 or more people possessing a common social identification

Question 5

define shared tasks and goals

Answer 5

3 or more people who work together interdependently on an agreed upon activity or goal

Question 6

define interdependence

Answer 6

a dynamic whole based on interdependence rather than similarity

Question 7

what is not a group

Answer 7

those working on same problem but seperate, sharing superficial similarity, need meaningful social connection between group members

Question 8

what are Forsyths main characterstics of groups

Answer 8

interaction (task/relationship), goals, interdependence, structure, cohesiveness

Question 9

group characteristics - what is interaction (include task, relationship)

Answer 9

create, organising, sustain relaitonship and task interaction among member
task = focused on group work (advancement by goal achievements and facilitation, hindrance by social loafing)
relationship = socioemotional interactions (sustained by social support, compliment, undermined by criticism)

Question 10

explain how structure is key in group

Answer 10

connected in orgaised, predictable pattern with distinct roles, and norms

Question 11

why do we form groups

Answer 11

providing protection
comfort, self validation
reduce anxiety
confirm validity of individual perceptions
reduce uncertainty for self, place in world

Question 12

how can groups influence their members, and society

Answer 12

attitude, value, perceptions, performances and behaviour
groups determine society culture, norm

Question 13

explain group dark sides

Answer 13

showing preference for in-group members, discriminates out-group
antisocial/violent behaviour
misguided and disastrous decision

Question 14

explain black sheep effect

Answer 14

more willingly derogate deviant member of in than of out group
due to subjective group dynamics, try psychogically sustaining validity of in-group norm
if deviant express extreme position exaggerating group norms then seen more neg/pos, to ensure maintenence of differences of in/out group

Question 15

explain cognitive baskets

Answer 15

stored info on individual, collective selfs in separate basket so can test if indivudal and collective self has primary in individuals motovation

Question 16

define social loafing

Answer 16

a reduction in individual effort when working on collective tasks, compared to when working either alone or coactively

Question 17

explain Ringlemans tug of war

Answer 17

total force exerted from group only 50% sum of predicted individual effort

Question 18

explain collective effort model as explanation for social loafing

Answer 18

willing to exert efforts on collective task only to degree that expect outcome to be instrumental in achieving goal

Question 19

name factors encouraging soail loafing

Answer 19

evaluation potential (identifiability)
low task meaningfulness, personal involvement
high expectation of coworkers
redundancy of individual input/responsibility
low group cohesiveness
larger group size

Question 20

explain coordinational and motivational loss for social loafing

Answer 20

coordination loss = others distract and interfere result in less involvement
motivation loss = individual tries less hard, result in less involvement

Question 21

name 3 variables influencing social loafing

Answer 21

identifiability, individual responsibility, commitment to task

Question 22

give a research study on shouting on social loafing identifiability (Williams et al, 1981)

Answer 22

shouting alone, in group
manipulated identifiability (equipment measured total group effort, or individual effort)
found social loafing in non-identifiable individual contributions

Question 23

explain research studying into individual responsibility into social loafing (Harkins & Petty, 1982)

Answer 23

work in group of 4, report when dot appears in sections of screen
manipulated individual responsibility (all focus on same section or different)
social loafing when little individual repsnsible

Question 24

give research into intragroup process of group interactions, and commitment to task (Zaccaro, 1984)

Answer 24

stronger commitment meant bigger consequence when not contributing, lower commitment had less fear of consequences

Question 25

do groups average out individual variability in decision making (Sherif, autokinetic)

Answer 25

ppts converged on group mean and gave sim estiamtes
even when ppts alone after
but other studies suggest that if given situation dilema, group makes riskier decisions (risky shift)

Question 26

define social faciliation

Answer 26

presence of other increases arousal level, produces ‘drive’ increasing probability for dominant response, correct in easy task and incorrect if difficult

Question 27

what is the view that social facilitation is due to others being distracting

Answer 27

concentration is difficult due to increased arousal, drive and presence of others taxes attention = so narrow attentional field onto task
increase self-awareness, motivates to be inline with ideal self, improving performance

Question 28

explain social decision schemas

Answer 28

explicit/implicit decision making rules which groups adopt
1. unanimity (discussion pressures deviants to conform)
2. majority wind (discussion confirm majorities position, and adopted as group position)
3. truth wins (discussion reveals demonstrated correct positions)
4. 2/3 majority (only reaches decision when majorities)
5. first shift (group adopts decision consistent with direction of initial opinional shift)

Question 29

explain group remembering theory

Answer 29

group better than individaul recall of simple info as can pool share info but complex task is more creative and reconstructional. not factual
group has transactive memory structure with different people specialising in different things

Question 30

define group polarisation

Answer 30

general tendency for group decision to be more extreme than mean of its members position, in direction favoured by mean

Question 31

give examples of group polarisation study

Answer 31

discussions among those favouring restrictive immigration policies end up in group decision strongly favoring them
enhances dominant group value

Question 32

when will group convergence occur

Answer 32

uncertain situ, relying on others opinion and judgements

Question 33

explain how informational influence can account for group polarisation

Answer 33

persuasive arugement theory
group discussion bring to light previous unknown info, supporting individuals position
position becomes more entrenched, extreme

Question 34

explain how normative influence explains group polarisation

Answer 34

desire for social approval, wishing to avoid social censure
discussion reveal social desirab posit, and want to adhere to them

Question 35

explain how social identity process explain group polarisation

Answer 35

group create group norm to define membership in decision-making group, we conform to polarise in-group away from out-group

Question 36

define groupthink

Answer 36

group decision making process that produces poor decisions, a mode of thinking in which desire to reach unanimous agreement overrides motivation to adopt proper rational decision making procedure

Question 37

what conditions will foster groupthink

Answer 37

high group cohesiveness
insulation of group from external influences, info
lack of impartial leadership
absence of systematic decision making procedures
high stress from external threats

Question 38

state symptoms of groupthink

Answer 38

illusion of invulnerability from dangers that can arise from risky action
illusion of unanimity - believe group consensus, no oppositions
suppression of personal doubts
self-appointed midguards - suppressing deviation by applications of direct social pressure

Question 39

explain stages of groupthink

Answer 39

1.antecendent conditions (high group cohesiveness, lacking impartial leader)
2.symptoms of group think (invulnerable illusion, suppress personal doubts)
3.poor decision making (failing to exaine other actions, failure to consider risk)

Question 40

how to prevent groupthink

Answer 40

1. leader encourage critical evaluation of decision
2. leader state issues in impartial ways
   3, group break into subgroup, review different option
3. discuss group decision with non group
4. consult qualified individual
5. assign member to devils advocate
6. alternative action course from opponent reviewed
7. after initial consensus still voice concerns

Question 41

as review into groupthink research, explain effectivenes of group cohesiveness, lack of impartial leadership, other conditions

Answer 41

group cohesiveness has waek support
lack of impartial leadership has consistent support = biased leader, more self censorship, midguarding and fewer solutions considered

Question 42

evaluate groupthink idea

Answer 42

1. case study support
2. lack evidence from lab study
3. didnt have single experimental paradigm adopted
4. identify importance of leadership