Unit 5

Question 1

When did the field of Social Psychology of Education emerge as an autonomous discipline?

Answer 1

The field of Social Psychology of Education emerged as an autonomous discipline in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Question 2

Why did psychosociological research in education increase after the Second World War?

Answer 2

It increased because many saw the war as a conflict between fascism and democracy and believed that good education was the best way to promote democracy.

Question 3

What is a key concept of the classroom as a society?

Answer 3

The classroom is a mini-society with a defined structure, formal goals, a ‘ruler’ (teacher), and ‘citizens’ (students) who interact and work towards goals.

Question 4

Besides formal structure, what other kind of structure develops in a classroom?

Answer 4

An informal structure develops through interactions between students and teachers.

Question 5

What are social norms?

Answer 5

Social norms are behavioral standards that control group members’ social behavior in defined circumstances. They reflect the group’s values, goals, and culture.

Question 6

What is the purpose of norms in the classroom?

Answer 6

The purpose of norms in the classroom is to maintain routine, enable effective learning, manage interpersonal relationships, and guide interactions with teachers and school authorities.

Question 7

What are the different types of norms?

Answer 7

Norms can be formal/explicit or informal/implicit, fixed/static or dynamic/flexible, and strong or weak.

Question 8

What does ‘conformity’ mean in the context of classroom norms?

Answer 8

Conformity is the degree to which group participants follow norms. It can stem from genuine belief in the norm’s value or the need to fit in.

Question 9

According to French and Raven (1959), what are the bases of social power?

Answer 9

The bases of social power are reward power, coercive power, legitimate power, referent power, expert power, and information power.

Question 10

What is reward power?

Answer 10

Reward power is the ability to provide positive consequences or remove negative ones.

Question 11

What is coercive power?

Answer 11

Coercive power is the ability to punish those who do not conform to demands.

Question 12

What is legitimate power?

Answer 12

Legitimate power is the right to prescribe behavior and control others due to a position of responsibility.

Question 13

What is referent power?

Answer 13

Referent power comes from admiration, respect, and identification with the leader.

Question 14

What is expert power?

Answer 14

Expert power comes from possessing distinctive knowledge, expertise, or skills that others need.

Question 15

What is information power?

Answer 15

Information power comes from controlling needed or wanted information.

Question 16

What are the three leadership styles identified by Lewin, Lippitt, and White (1939)?

Answer 16

The three leadership styles are authoritarian/autocratic, democratic/participatory, and laissez-faire/let do.

Question 17

How does an authoritarian leader behave?

Answer 17

An authoritarian leader tells the group what to do without much explanation, takes no input from the members, often criticizes, and emphasizes authority.

Question 18

How does a democratic leader behave?

Answer 18

A democratic leader ensures all activities are discussed by the group, lets the group make decisions with guidance, and encourages an egalitarian atmosphere.

Question 19

How does a laissez-faire leader behave?

Answer 19

A laissez-faire leader allows the group to work as they wish, rarely intervenes, and primarily acts as a source of technical information.

Question 20

Which leadership style is most effective for maintaining a balance between productivity and group satisfaction?

Answer 20

Democratic leadership is the most effective for balancing productivity and group satisfaction.

Question 21

What are the three dimensions of social status in the classroom, according to Hargreaves (1975)?

Answer 21

The three dimensions are popularity, social power, and prestige.

Question 22

What is ‘sociometry’?

Answer 22

Sociometry is a method of asking students to reconstruct the social structure of a classroom based on their reports. It focuses on measuring children’s emotional reactions to others: attraction and rejection.

Question 23

What are the four distinct types of students identified through sociometric measurements?

Answer 23

The four types are popular, rejected, neglected, and controversial.

Question 24

What is ‘classroom climate’?

Answer 24

Classroom climate is the psycho/social/emotional and organizational state of the classroom. It reflects students’ overall satisfaction, atmosphere and harmony.

Question 25

What are the characteristics of classrooms with a high positive climate?

Answer 25

Classrooms with a high positive climate have mutual support, fair influence, interpersonal attraction, open communication, and norms supporting everyone’s success.

Question 26

How can social comparison affect students?

Answer 26

Social comparison can trigger both positive and negative effects, potentially damaging self-esteem if the comparison is unfavorable.

Question 27

According to the study by Blanton et al. (1999), with whom do students tend to compare their grades?

Answer 27

Students tend to compare their grades with classmates of the same gender, and often with those who have slightly higher grades.

Question 28

What are some nonverbal behaviors that might indicate deception?

Answer 28

Liars tend to be overly planned, lack spontaneity, exaggerate false emotions, and show tension.

Question 29

What are some gender differences in nonverbal behavior?

Answer 29

Women tend to show more emotional expressiveness through facial expressions, are better at interpreting nonverbal cues, and are more attentive to nonverbal stimuli. Men seem to have better emotional control and can regulate their emotional displays.

Question 30

What is the importance of the ‘home learning environment’ on a child’s education?

Answer 30

The home learning environment, including the amount parents read to their children and support their education, has a significant impact, sometimes more than the quality of the schools.