Week Twelve Group Processes

Question 1

Define conformity as according to textbook

Answer 1

Tendency to change one’s perceptions, opinions or behaviour to conform w/group norms

Question 2

How does Meyer, 2005 define conformity?

Answer 2

Change of behaviour in accordance with others

Question 3

How does Kiesler and Kiesler define conformity?

Answer 3

Change in the behaviour or belief toward a group as a result of real or imagined group pressure

Question 4

Outline informational influence

Answer 4

Conforming when things are HARDER to decipher on our own because we want to be correct in our judgements and we see other people are more correct

Question 5

Outline normative influence

Answer 5

Shared set of beliefs held by the in-group about things that are easier to decipher on our own cause us to conform more readily because we fear the consequences of deviating from group norm

Question 6

What were the findings of Sherif’s (1936) study?

Answer 6

When we find tasks difficult we turn to others as source of info so we can agree on something. Individually ability to estimate how much light moved occurred varied drastically but in group estimates came together to produce group mean

Question 7

Which type of influence was demonstrated by Sherif’s study?

Answer 7

Informational influence - - > conforming because we want to be correct in our judgements about tasks which are more difficult

Question 8

Outline the findings of Asch’s conformity experiment (1951)

Answer 8

Reasons for conformity included:
1. Going along w/crowd
2. Having others question answers

Question 9

Which type of influence was demonstrated in Asch’s study?

Answer 9

Normative influence

Question 10

What were the findings of Asch’s (1955) study of group size?

Answer 10

As group got larger, group conformity increased

Question 11

What happened when Asch manipulated unanimity? What was the finding?

Answer 11

Level of conformity went down to 1/4 of original study. Having just one person challenge group is enough for others to re-evaluate their original conforming opinion

Question 12

Define compliance

Answer 12

Subtype of conformity where there is superficial change in behaviour in response to direct requests or coercion

Question 13

What is obedience a form of?

Answer 13

Compliance

Question 14

What is compliance a subtype of?

Answer 14

Conformity

Question 15

What were the findings of Milligram’s (1963) study?to do with voltage?

Answer 15

Up to 120v participants happy to give electric shocks to learner
130v learner complains of pain
140v learner doesn’t want to be part of study anymore
300v-450v person in booth no longer responding

Question 16

What was the most significant finding of the Milgram’s study?

Answer 16

65% administered most lethal shocks possible on generator (450v) whereas prior pane of experts predicted only 10% would exceed 180v

Question 17

What was the study that replicated Milgram?

Answer 17

Burger (2009)

Question 18

What ethical considerations did Burger (2009) make that Milgram did not?

Answer 18

Screened for vulnerable participants
Went up to 150v instead of 450v as this was most crucial part of experiment when person said they don’t want to be part of study anymore

Question 19

Was there anything significant about Burgers results in comparison to Milgram’s?

Answer 19

Milgram’s 82.5% passed 150v
Burgers 70% passed 150v
- not statistically significant

Question 20

What did the Derren Brown show say about participants willing to administer most lethal shock?

Answer 20

50% willing to do so

Question 21

What was the name of the study that conducted its research in Stanford uni?

Answer 21

Zimbaro prison experiment (1973)

Question 22

What was the impact on prisoners and guards from day two onwards?

Answer 22

Prisoners staged revolt
- none started acting crazy and was removed
- guards response was punishment of prisoners

Question 23

What does group thinking lead to?

Answer 23

Suspension of critical thinking

Question 24

What did Janis (1972) find in relation to governmental decisions on foreign policy?

Answer 24

Long-standing groups maintain cohesion
Decisions made through consensus impair decision making e.g. Bay of Pigs decisions responded to by vote

Question 25

What were the key features of the bay of pigs invasion that lead to its failure?

Answer 25

Illusion of invulnerability
Consensus
Stereotyped thinking
Protection from criticism

Question 26

What are the outcomes of groupthink?

Answer 26

Poor planning
- failure to think through alternatives
- risks of plan being given insufficient attention
- more time spent considering plans consistent w/group consensus
- over-confidence

Question 27

Outline Latane & Darley’s Bystander Effect Model

Answer 27

Decreased likelihood in receiving help from multiple onlookers due to…
1. social comparison
- seeking guidance from others because it was unusual (informational influence)
2. reduction in responsibility
- more people, less onus

Question 28

Outline how Darley and Latane’s final study was conducted?

Answer 28

Differing group sizes e.g. 2, 3, 6 people
DV: time taken for participant to leave booth to help confederate

Question 29

Were were the key findings of Latane & Darley’s study?

Answer 29

As group size increased, percentage who helped decreased and how long it took them increased

Question 30

What were the results of Fischer et al. (meta-analysis)?

Answer 30

Bystander effect weakened when situations perceived as dangerous, perpetrators were present, costs of intervention were physical, other bystanders not strangers and were all male