Group Dynamics Quiz

Group Cohesion and Conformity

• A group is a social unit consisting of two or more people who view themselves as belonging to the group and are recognized as such by other members.
• Group members are interdependent, meaning the progress of one member often influences the progress of others toward their shared objectives.
• Groups have shared norms, which are expectations that regulate member behavior and guide actions. These norms structure and pattern relationships within the group.
• Group cohesion is the strength of the desire members have to remain in the group and resist leaving. Highly cohesive groups exert strong influence over their members' time, energy, loyalty, and commitment.
• High cohesiveness often fosters a positive interactional atmosphere that is characterized by a "we" feeling.
• Cohesion can derive from social factors (liking each other) or task-relevant factors (shared task interest).

Nature and Consequences of Cohesion

• Social Cohesion describes when members stay in the group primarily due to their liking and desire to interact. This is often stronger in groups with similar members.
• Task Cohesion explains group membership based on task interest and value. Higher task cohesion happens when tasks are interesting and challenging.
• Cohesion affects interaction among group members. Highly cohesive groups' interactions are more cooperative, friendlier, and lead to more agreement attempts.
• Members of cohesive groups are often more susceptible to influence by other members' expectations.
• Cohesion impacts group structure and goals, influencing how groups define and pursue desirable and important outcomes.

Roles in Groups

• Roles are sets of functions that members perform within a group.
• Members have expectations for each other's roles and responsibilities, leading to likely demands and expectations.
• Group roles help groups achieve their goals through a division of labor where different members' specific tasks help the group function effectively.

Conformity to Group Norms

• Norms are rules or standards that guide groups' member behaviors specifying how members are expected to behave under different circumstances.
• Norms regulate a group's actions and activities, foster coordination, and give group members a shared understanding of the standards.
• Norms provide a cognitive frame of reference for group members, influencing interpretations of their environment and assisting in distinguishing between what is considered acceptable and unacceptable in the group.
• Norms define and strengthen common group identity, often requiring members to act differently from those outside the group.

Conformity

• Conformity happens when an individual adheres to group norms and standards. Group members often expressly change their behavior to match group norms.
• The Asch Conformity Paradigm examines how majorities in a group influence the behavior of individual members, demonstrating how pressure to conform can cause individuals to publicly agree with incorrect majority opinions even when they privately disagree.
• Normative Influence highlights how members conform as dictated by majority pressures in order to avoid judgment, dislike, or possible punishment; they want to be liked and accepted by the group.
• Informational Influence arises when members conform as a way to reduce uncertainty and ambiguity by accepting information from other members as valid and truthful.

Increasing Conformity

• Group size significantly influences conformity when the majority is unanimous. Larger majorities exert greater pressures to conform.
• Unanimity within the group's majority greatly influences conformity; breaking this unanimity diminishes the pressure to conform.
• Member attraction to the group is a major factor influencing conformity; individuals more strongly attracted to the group are more likely to conform to group norms.
• Anticipation of future interaction with the group also influences conformity; members more likely to conform when they expect interaction with the group to be enduring or permanent.
• Members' competence and expertise level relative to others within the group plays a role in resistance to conformity pressures.

Minority Influence in Groups

• Minority influence refers to a situation where a group of individuals with differing perspectives seeks to persuade majority viewpoints within the group.
• Minority influence can occur if members with differing viewpoints effectively persuade majority members to adopt their perspective.

Group Structure and Performance

• Group structure is the framework of the roles, responsibilities, and communication patterns within groups. It impacts how efficiently group members execute their tasks.
• Group leadership defines formal and informal hierarchies, coordinating group actions.
• Leadership plays a critical role in defining responsibilities and managing group activities to reach established objectives effectively.
• Endorsement of formal leaders can derive from high-status members in the hierarchy (authorization) or from lower-status members.

Activities of Leaders

• Leaders identify clear objectives and communicate them to group members.
• They develop strategies to achieve these objectives.
• Leaders establish group productivity norms, facilitate communication, and recruit new members when needed.
• Leaders provide guidance, training, and manage group relations and conflicts. They monitor progress and act on necessary corrective actions.

Productivity and Performance

• Group productivity is the output from groups measured against some standard, often compared to the level of resources utilized and group objectives or targets.
• Efficient group performance relies on members' coordination and specialization for division of labor, leading to levels of efficiency that surpass individual contributions.

Group Decision Making

• Groups often consider multiple options before selecting one for their respective decisions, weighing options against considerations like potential outcomes, advantages, and disadvantages.
• Groupthink is a problematic group decision-making style where pressures for unanimity overwhelm careful consideration of alternative courses of action.
• Group decision-making is a critical process influencing a group's ability to achieve its goals.

Deviant Behavior and Social Reaction

• Deviance is a social construction; behaviors defined as deviant relate to the specific norms within a particular situation or context.

• Deviant behavior encompasses a wide array of actions, such as shoplifting, crime, cheating, and various other infractions.

• Anomie theory suggests that social deviance exists when people struggle to find legitimate means to achieve culturally valued goals.

• Anomie occurs when a person is unable to attain their goals via legitimate means, a state that can create a lack of commitment to norms and goals.

• Learning structures and opportunity structures in societies also influence opportunities for deviant behavior.

Control Theory

• Control theory emphasizes the role of social bonds and connections in deterring deviance.
• Social bonds, including attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief, encourage conformity.
• People conform to norms due to their commitment to goals and respect for authorities and established social orders.

Differential Association Theory

• Differential association theory highlights the role of learning from others in defining and adopting deviant behavior.
• Individuals learn deviant behavior through interactions with others who engage in it.

Reactions to Norm Variations

• Reacting to norm violations can lead to several consequences.
• Labeling theory is critical in understanding the role of community reactions in defining an act as deviant.
• Labeling theory explains how labeling a person affects their self-concept, perceptions, behaviors, and opportunities.

Self-Perception of the Deviant

• Stigma and labels related to deviance influence self-perception and relationships with others.
• Acceptance or rejection of a stigmatized identity significantly impacts how an individual perceives themselves within society.