THE SOCIAL GROUP

Question 1

What is a group?

Answer 1

• Many definitions + disagreement over definition.
• Often considers factors like bonds, identities, tasks, intimacy, etc.
• Brown (2000) extending the definition by Turner (1982) - “Two or more people who define themselves and are recognised by others, as a group and have a sense of “us” which can be compared to “them”.”
• Brown’s definition includes a concept of in-group and out-group.
• Identity is a key component + often defined in relation to other groups.

Question 2

Tuckman (1965) - How do in-groups form? (Theory)

Answer 2

1. Forming - hope to be accepted and avoid conflict.
2. Storming - group begins to address issues like roles, responsibilities, goals, etc.
3. Norming - a common sense of identity + purpose emerges.
4. Performing - interdependence + flexibility established (people work towards a common goal).
5. Adjourning - task is completed + group separates.

Question 3

Tuckman (1965) - How do in-groups form? (Model)

Answer 3

1. Forming - hope to be accepted and avoid conflict.
2. Storming - group begins to address issues like roles, responsibilities, goals, etc.
3. Norming - a common sense of identity + purpose emerges.
4. Performing - interdependence + flexibility established (people work towards a common goal).
5. Adjourning - task is completed + group separates.

Question 4

Cognitive dissonance

Answer 4

Cognitive dissonance - an unpleasant feeling when one’s attitudes and behaviours do not match.

Question 5

Social norms

Answer 5

Social norms - uniformities of behaviour that help determine, organise and differentiate groups from other groups and maintain social order.

Question 6

Social norms are:

Answer 6

• Often enforced - people adhere to avoid punishment and obtain rewards.
• Not static over time.
• Internalised - e.g. learned through unconscious assimilation.
• Influenced by consensus.
• Useful heuristics - signals belonging to a particular group without having to make an active effort.

Question 7

Baumeister & Leary (1995) - Why do groups form?

Answer 7

• Groups are necessary for a person’s sense of who they are (they help us develop a social identity by identifying with a group).
• An important source of self-esteem (according to sociometer theory).
• Interdependence - groups allow people to achieve more than if they do the same activities alone.

Question 8

Joseph Henrich - Thought Experiment: Geniuses & Imitators - Why are groups useful?

Answer 8

• A planet is inhabited by 2 tribes - Geniuses and Copycats.
  1. Geniuses - brilliant + 1 in 10 invents smth + but not that social (only one friend)
  2. Copycats - not as brilliant + 1 in 1000 invents smth + but very social (ten friends).
• Learning how to fish is tricky, only succeeding about half of the time.
• 1 in 5 Geniuses learn to fish (half figure it out on their own, half are taught)
• In contrast, 99.9% of Copycats learn to fish (but only 0.1% of Copycats will have figured it out on their own, the majority are taught).
• Conclusion: It is evolutionarily useful to be part of a group! (someone knows someone who can help/teach you)