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Questions and Answers
What is the key premise of Realistic Group Conflict Theory?
The key premise is that groups can become hostile towards each other as they compete for common resources.
Describe the three stages of the Robbers Cave Experiment.
The three stages are: 1) Group Formation, where boys bond in separate groups; 2) Group Conflict, where competition leads to hostility; 3) Conflict Resolution, where superordinate goals encourage cooperation.
How did the introduction of superordinate goals in the Robbers Cave Experiment affect intergroup hostility?
The introduction of superordinate goals reduced intergroup hostility by requiring both groups to work together towards a common goal.
What implications does Realistic Group Conflict Theory have for understanding group dynamics during resource scarcity?
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List two solutions recommended to mitigate group hostility based on Realistic Group Conflict Theory.
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What is one way groups can help individuals in decision-making?
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How does social identity theory explain our behavior towards in-groups and out-groups?
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What is a key characteristic of groupthink?
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List two symptoms of groupthink as identified by Janis.
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Explain the fundamental attribution bias in your own words.
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What is confirmation bias and how does it affect our beliefs?
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What feelings are associated with cognitive dissonance?
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How can group pressure impact an individual's willingness to express dissenting opinions?
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Study Notes
How Groups Help Us
- Groups can provide legitimacy to decisions
- Groups can create a sense of security and belonging
- Groups can provide broader perspectives and a wider range of ideas
- Groups can be used to divide and conquer tasks to improve efficiency
Social Identity Theory
- Developed by Tajfel and Turner
- Explains how people form identities and how these identities shape interactions with others
- We form "in-groups" and "out-groups" to provide a sense of belonging, security, and identity
- We tend to favor those in our "in-group" and have negative evaluations about "out-groups"
- Individuals engage in behaviors that align with their "in-group" identity
Groupthink
- A psychosocial process that prioritizes group harmony and conformity over individual thought
- Can lead to codependency and a lack of diversity within the group
- Individuals may lose their sense of individuality
- The group tends to make inefficient decisions without considering alternatives and outside perspectives
Symptoms of Groupthink
- Feeling invulnerable and invincible
- Collective rationalization: a false sense of conviction in group opinions
- Moral superiority within the group
- Stereotyping of "out-groups"
- Pressure on those who oppose decisions
- Censorship or unwillingness to express one's own opinion
- False feelings of unanimity
- Mind guards: protecting the group from external opinions that could cause dissonance
Fundamental Attribution Bias/Error
- We attribute other people's mistakes to their personal character while attributing our own mistakes to situational or environmental factors
- Example: Being late for a meeting; "I was late because of traffic" versus "They were late because they are disorganized"
Confirmation Bias
- Our tendency to pay more attention to information that confirms our preexisting beliefs while ignoring information that challenges them
- Example: Stereotyping
- Leads to "echo chambers": false perceptions and polarization
Cognitive Dissonance
- Feelings of discomfort that arise when our actions do not align with our beliefs
- We may engage in confirmation bias to avoid these feelings of dissonance
- Avoiding the reality of dissonance can lead us to ignore flaws in our beliefs and actions
Realistic Group Conflict Theory
- Groups can become hostile toward each other as they compete for common resources
- Robbers Cave Experiment: 22 boys were sent to a camp in Oklahoma to study intergroup conflict
- 3 Stages:
- Group Formation: Boys were split into two groups and encouraged to bond without awareness of the other group
- Group Conflict: Groups were introduced and competed for resources and prizes, leading to verbal and physical hostility
- Conflict Resolution: Researchers arranged situations with "superordinate goals" requiring groups to work together, which reduced hostility
Implications of Realistic Group Conflict Theory
- Hostility between groups can be about more than just individual differences
- Hostility can increase when resources are scarce
- Discussions are not effective when there is hostility
- Working on common goals can decrease group hostility
Solutions to Groupthink and Bias
- Have a devil's advocate within the group
- Value diversity in members and perspectives
- Embrace debate and critical thinking
- Intentionally seek external perspectives and opinions
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Description
This quiz explores the concepts of group dynamics including the benefits and drawbacks of group decision-making, social identity theory, and the phenomenon of groupthink. Test your understanding of how groups influence individual behavior and identity. Dive into the psychological aspects of belonging and conformity in social settings.
