W2.1: Group Foundations Flashcards
What are the different types of groups?
A group is defined as 2 or more individuals, interacting and independent, who come together to achieve particular objectives.
- Formal
- Informal
What is the social identity theory?
When and why individuals consider themselves as members of a group.
- People have emotional reactions to their failure/success because self-esteem is tied
- Helps us understand who we are/where we fit in
What is ingroup favouritism?
Occurs when we see members of our group as better than other people, and people not in our group as all the same. (outgroup homogeneity)
What is the social identity threat?
Akin to stereotype threat. Individuals believe that they will be personally negatively evaluated due to their association with a devalued group, and they may lose confidence/performance effectiveness.
What is the punctuated equilibrium model?
Temporary Groups with Deadlines
(1) their first meeting sets the group’s direction,
(2) this first phase of group activity is one of inertia,
(3) a transition takes place exactly when the group has used up half its allotted time,
(4) this transition initiates major changes,
(5) a second phase of inertia follows the transition, and
(6) the group’s last meeting is characterized by markedly accelerated activity.
What is the 5-stage model for groups?
- Forming
- Storming
- Norming
- Performing
- Adjourning
What are the 6 group properties?
- Roles
- Norms
- Status
- Size
- Cohesiveness
- Diversity
RNSSCD
(Ron never saves stuff on CD)
What is a role, and how does it affect groups?
Role = set of expected behaviour patterns attributed to someone occupying a given position in a social unit.
- Role expectations (psychological contract) vs role perceptions
- Role conflict: when compliance to one role makes it difficult to comply to another role
Stanford Prison Experiment
How do group norms influence an individual’s behaviour?
Norm: acceptable standards of behaviour within a group that are shared by the group’s members
- Conformity
- Reference Groups
- Deviant Workplace Behaviour (4)s - production, property, political, personal)
What is status, how is it derived and how does it affect groups?
Status = A socially defined position or rank given to groups or group members by others.
Status Characteristics Theory: status is derived from one of these 3 sources
- Power a person wields over another
- A person’s ability to contribute to a group’s goals
- An individual’s personal characteristics
Affects:
- Norms
- Interactions
- Inequity
- Stigmatization
How does group size affect behaviour?
Group size affects the group’s overall behavior.
–Large groups are good for gaining diverse input.
–Smaller groups are better doing something with input.
Social Loafing will occur in large groups (expend less energy when working collectively)
What are the strengths and weaknesses of group decision making?
Strengths:
- More complete knowledge
- Diverse views
- Acceptance of solutions
Weaknesses:
- Time consuming
- Conformity
- Ambiguous responsibility
What are the two by-products of group decision making?
- Groupthink: A phenomenon in which the norm for consensus overrides
the realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action. - Groupshift: A change between a group’s decision and an individual decision
that a member within the group would make; the shift can be toward either conservatism or greater risk but it generally is toward a more extreme version of the group’s original position.
What are group-decision making techniques?
- Brainstorming
2. Nominal group technique
