reading group processes

Question 1

evidence for group polarisation

Answer 1

Moscovici & Zavalloni (1969): Small groups of French school students wrote down their private attitudes towards two topics, one which they were initially positive to and one which they were initially negative to. They then had to reach a consensus as a group and then record their private attitude rating. Many participants became more extreme in the same direction as their initial attitudes- increase in attitude scores post-CS for deGaulle and decrease in attitude scores post-CS for Americans.

Myers and Bishop (1970): those who discussed their racial attitudes with like-minded others became more prejudiced in they were already declined n that direction, less prejudice if they were already liberal. Demonstration of extremism.

Question 2

explanations to group polarisation

Answer 2

Persuasive argument theory (informational influence)the more persuasive the presented arguments are, the more extreme group members’ attitudes becomes. Polarization is basded on information social influence, which means as humans we look to others to learn how to behave (Drutsch and Gerardm 1955)

Question 3

social comparison theory: group polarisation

Answer 3

Because of our tendency to evaluate out opinions by comparing oneself to another, being exposed to other’s positions but not necessarily hearing their argument can induce polarization.

Individuals tend t compare themselves with others and we want to be liked and appear slightly better than others (Myers, 1978)

Myers et al (1974): participants who received information about the distribution of opinions held by other group members before making their own decision took more extreme positions before even hearing their arguments

Question 4

self categorisation theory

Answer 4

Polarization arises out of tendancies to accentuate similarities between members of one’s own group, but to differentiate from members of outgroups

.It is enhanced by a reference to an outside group (doise, 1969). Members attiudes shift towards an in group morn that best defines the group in conttrats to the relevant outgroup.

Question 5

repetition and polarisation

Answer 5

Repeated exposure to abstract paintings polarizes opinions (Brickman et al., 1972);

Brauer & Judd, 1996: for individuals, explicit instructions to engage in attitude rehearsal could result in polarization (study 1); repeated tape recordings of individualparticipants led to extreme but less elaborate arguments (study 2); group polarization was a function of two factors: the frequency of expression and the number of different group members from whom one receives communications

Question 6

social loafing

Answer 6

bokhari and aftab 2022- substantial negative association between conscientousness and SL and a substantial positive effect on neuroticism and social loafing

Buunk 1998- public feedback reduced social loafing whilst fatigue increased it when ppts had to work in groups