Group Processes and Individual Influence Quiz

A group is a collection of three or more people who interact with one another and are interdependent in the sense that their needs and goals cause them to rely on one another. Mutual influence refers to the idea that members of a group can influence each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Some examples of groups include family and friends, sports teams, university classes, and political or social justice/advocacy groups.

The fundamental need that motivates individuals to join groups is the need for social connection and interaction. It is intrinsically rewarding and has evolutionary reasons.

<p>It is easier to achieve objectives collectively in a group because members can pool their resources, skills, and knowledge. They can divide tasks and work together towards a common goal.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Groups help individuals define themselves by providing a sense of identity. Being part of a group gives individuals a sense of belonging and a way to differentiate themselves from others.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Social norms are shared expectations within a group about how members should behave. They exert a strong influence over behavior by setting standards and expectations for acceptable behavior within the group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An example of a social role within a group is a religious leader, teacher, or boss. These roles come with shared expectations about how the person in that role is supposed to behave.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Gender roles are expectations about how men and women should behave within a group. These roles can influence behavior by prescribing certain behaviors as more appropriate or expected based on gender.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Stanford Prison Experiment was a psychological study conducted by Zimbardo et al (1973) that examined the effects of social roles on behavior. It involved simulating a prison environment and assigning participants to either the role of prisoner or guard. The study demonstrated how social roles can shape behavior and lead to the abuse of power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Groups can serve as frameworks to simplify the complex world by providing shared beliefs, values, and perspectives. They offer a lens through which individuals can understand and interpret their experiences in a simplified and organized manner.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Tragedy of the Commons refers to a situation in which multiple individuals, acting independently and rationally, deplete a shared resource, leading to its degradation or depletion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Prisoner's Dilemma is a concept in game theory where two individuals, acting in their own self-interest, do not cooperate even though it would benefit them both if they did.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Some strategies to increase cooperation in the Prisoner's Dilemma include: focusing on individuals over groups, using a tit-for-tat strategy, maintaining consistent cooperation, and emphasizing future interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>No, using threats is not typically an effective means of resolving conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Negotiation is a form of communication between opposing sides in a conflict, where offers and counteroffers are made, and a solution is reached only when both parties agree.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>An integrative solution is a solution to a conflict where the parties make trade-offs on issues according to their different interests. Each side concedes the most on issues that are unimportant to them but important to the other side.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It can be difficult to identify what is most important to each side in a negotiation because each party may have different priorities and interests, which may not be explicitly stated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The main idea behind 'The Tragedy of the Commons' is that when individuals act in their own self-interest and deplete a shared resource, it can lead to the degradation or depletion of that resource.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Consistent cooperation is important in the Prisoner's Dilemma because it helps to build trust between the individuals involved and increases the likelihood of mutually beneficial outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The tit-for-tat strategy in the Prisoner's Dilemma involves initially cooperating and then mirroring the other individual's previous action in subsequent interactions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Group cohesiveness refers to the qualities of a group that bind members together and promote liking among them. While it is beneficial for social aspects, it can have drawbacks for problem-solving because it may discourage dissent and critical thinking. For example, a close-knit group of friends may struggle to objectively evaluate each other's ideas when working on a group project.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Group diversity refers to the variety of characteristics and perspectives among group members. While groups tend to attract similar individuals, diverse groups can perform better because they bring different ideas and approaches to the table. This diversity can lead to more innovative solutions and a broader range of perspectives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Social facilitation refers to the tendency for people to perform better on simple tasks but worse on complex tasks when they are in the presence of others and their individual performance can be evaluated. For example, a skilled musician may give an impressive solo performance in front of an audience, but struggle to execute complex musical pieces when playing with a group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Social loafing refers to the tendency for people to exert less effort when working in groups compared to when working individually. In simple tasks, social loafing can lead to worse performance. However, in complex tasks, individuals may perform better in groups because the presence of others reduces individual pressure and arousal. For example, someone may put less effort into a group project compared to working on their own, resulting in a lower quality outcome.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Deindividuation refers to the loosening of normal constraints on behavior when people are in a group, leading to an increase in impulsive and deviant acts. For example, internet trolling often occurs when individuals feel anonymous and part of a larger group, leading them to engage in provocative and offensive behavior online that they may not engage in as individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Process loss refers to any aspect of group interaction that inhibits good problem-solving. Failure to share unique information is a common aspect of process loss, as groups tend to focus on shared information and may not allow enough time or attention for individuals to share their unique insights. This can result in missed opportunities and less effective decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Groupthink is a kind of thinking in which maintaining group cohesiveness and solidarity is prioritized over considering the facts in a realistic manner. It can negatively impact decision-making by discouraging dissent and critical evaluation of alternatives. Groupthink often leads to poor decision outcomes as important information and perspectives are overlooked in favor of maintaining harmony within the group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A social dilemma is a conflict in which the most beneficial action for an individual, if chosen by most people, will have harmful effects on everyone. Finding a solution can be challenging because individuals are motivated to act in their self-interest, which can lead to a collective outcome that is worse for everyone. An example of a social dilemma is the overuse of common resources, such as pollution of a shared river by multiple factories.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Conflict and cooperation are two important aspects of group dynamics. Conflict arises when there are differences in opinions, goals, or interests among group members. Cooperation, on the other hand, involves working together towards shared goals and finding mutually beneficial solutions. Both conflict and cooperation can shape group dynamics by influencing communication, decision-making, and the overall cohesion of the group.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'The Tragedy of the Commons' refers to a situation where individuals, acting in their self-interest, deplete or degrade a shared resource, resulting in negative consequences for everyone. It relates to social dilemmas because it highlights the challenge of coordinating individual actions to achieve a collective benefit. For example, overfishing in oceans can lead to the depletion of fish populations, harming both individual fishermen and the ecosystem as a whole.</p> Signup and view all the answers