Social psychology

Question 1

Social comparison theory/normative influence

Answer 1

States that people often change their opinions when in a group in order to fit in or to be accepted.

Question 2

Informational influence

Answer 2

People tend to enter a discussion with favourable information for both sides of the argument, and then change their opinion favouring that side which provides more information in its argument.

Question 3

Groupthink

Answer 3

Occurs within a group in which the pressure to conform results in an incorrect or deviant decision-making outcome.

Question 4

Symptoms of groupthink

Answer 4

• Illusions of invulnerability - excessive optimism leading to extreme risk-taking
• Collective rationalisation - discount warnings
• Belief in moral correctness - belief in the rightness of cause ignoring ethical consequences
• Stereotyped view of out-groups - negative views of the enemy
• Direct pressure on dissenters - members pressured not to oppose group views
• Self-censorship - doubts/variations of percieved consensus are not expressed
• Illusion of unanimity - majority judgements are assumed to be unanimous
• Self-appointed mind-guards - members protect the group and leader from information that may upset cohesiveness, views, and decisions

Question 5

Precursors of groupthink

Answer 5

• Cohesive group
• Insulation from experts
• Leader preferences

Question 6

Social psychology

Answer 6

The study of how groups and other people change the way we think, feel and behave