Social Psychology: Group Behavior

People exert less effort when working in a group, especially when individual contributions are not easily identifiable or appreciated.

The fear of negative judgment from others, which can motivate people to try harder.

Reduced evaluation apprehension leads to decreased individual effort in group settings.

Feeling like your contribution is unnecessary because others will likely do the work.

Social Loafing is less prevalent in collectivist cultures where group identity is strong.

Women tend to exhibit less social loafing than men due to their generally lower levels of individualism.

Social loafing can be reduced when individuals identify strongly with their group.

Collective societies, like Kibbutzim, often outperform individualistic ones, showcasing the impact of group identity on productivity.

Groupthink describes a phenomenon where a group of people prioritize harmony and consensus over critical thinking and objective decision-making. This leads to poor decisions as dissenting opinions are suppressed, and rational judgment is stifled.

Groupthink is more likely to occur when a group is cohesive, isolated from external perspectives, led by a directive leader, under stress, and lacks established procedures for decision-making. These conditions promote a sense of urgency and pressure to conform.

Conformity pressures in groupthink occur when group members feel compelled to align their opinions with the perceived majority, even if they hold reservations. Fear of rejection or social isolation can silence dissent.

Self-censorship in groupthink arises when members suppress their own doubts and dissenting opinions to avoid creating conflict or disrupting the perceived consensus. This can lead to a false sense of agreement and hinder critical evaluation.

The antecedent conditions of groupthink are predisposing factors that create an environment conducive to the phenomenon. These include cohesive group dynamics, isolation from external influences, directive leadership, stress, and a lack of formal decision-making processes.

Symptoms of groupthink include conformity pressures, self-censorship, and an illusion of unanimity. These symptoms signal a decline in critical thinking and a tendency towards groupthink.

Groupthink is a dangerous phenomenon as it hinders rational decision-making by prioritizing group harmony and consensus over critical evaluation. It can lead to poor judgment, flawed outcomes, and a lack of accountability.

Groupthink is often seen in situations where a strong leader or a sense of urgency dominates decision-making. It can be a challenging aspect of group dynamics, impacting various societal systems.

A decision-making process where one person makes a decision based on the views of others, ignoring their own independent judgment.

A method used by the Sanhedrin to prevent groupthink by having junior members share their opinions first, discouraging the influence of senior members.

Prohibiting judges from basing their rulings solely on the reasoning of their colleagues to encourage independent thought.

A method used by the Sanhedrin to ensure diverse viewpoints by inviting outside experts to participate in the decision-making process.

The Sanhedrin held discussions even after a decision had been made, breaking into smaller groups to analyze potential flaws and ensure confidence in the outcome.

The Sanhedrin would postpone final verdicts until the next day to allow for independent contemplation and reduce the possibility of impulsive judgments.

The Sanhedrin anticipated and guarded against groupthink by ensuring that a unanimous guilty verdict would automatically result in an acquittal of the defendant.

A technique used by the Sanhedrin to counter groupthink through a delay in decision-making, allowing members to reconsider their opinions and prevent hasty judgments.

A phenomenon where individuals in a group suppress dissenting opinions and conform to a perceived majority view, even if they disagree, creating a false sense of agreement.

Individuals within a group who act as gatekeepers, shielding the group from information or perspectives that challenge the dominant viewpoint, often to protect the leader or maintain consensus.

In the context of groupthink, shifting the burden of proof onto those who express concerns or dissenting opinions, forcing them to prove their concerns are valid rather than assuming the group is already correct.

Decisions made in groups can sometimes be good, as seen in successful instances like the Marshall Plan or the Cuban Missile Crisis. However, groups can also make poor decisions due to groupthink.

The Challenger space shuttle disaster exemplifies groupthink. NASA's leadership ignored concerns from engineers about safety issues, leading to a tragic launch failure.

The Columbia space shuttle disaster, where the crew perished on re-entry, is another instance where groupthink might have contributed. Warnings and concerns were likely ignored due to a culture of complacency and an illusion of unanimity.

Irving Janis, a social psychologist, developed strategies to mitigate groupthink, based on his research on the phenomenon. These strategies aim to encourage critical thinking, diverse perspectives, and healthy dissent within groups.

A psychological phenomenon where people react against blatant social pressure to protect their freedom and individuality.

A specific type of social pressure where people feel like their will is being constrained.

The act of intentionally violating a clearly established boundary.

A mental process of explaining why someone might choose to disobey, even when it seems illogical.

The deliberate avoidance of conforming to social expectations, even when it may lead to negative consequences.

A specific case where a person is urged to do something that they are mildly opposed to.

A situation where someone is pressured to do something they strongly disagree with.

A leader who focuses on providing clear instructions and directions, often without much explanation or discussion.

A leader who actively seeks to inspire and motivate followers by articulating a shared vision and purpose.

The idea that consistent and self-confident minorities can influence the opinions and behaviors of the majority.

An unjustifiable and usually negative attitude toward a group and its members, often based on stereotypes.

Generalized beliefs about a group of people, which may be accurate or inaccurate.

Acting out prejudiced attitudes by treating members of a group unfairly.

The tendency for people to believe that the world is fair and that people get what they deserve.

The theory that prejudice provides an outlet for frustration and anger by blaming a scapegoat group.

The perception that members of an outgroup are all alike, while members of one's own ingroup are diverse.

The tendency for people to be more aggressive when they are frustrated or blocked from achieving their goals.

Positive, constructive, and helpful behavior aimed at benefiting others.

The idea that people are more likely to help those who have helped them in the past.

The expectation that people should help those who are in need, regardless of whether they have received prior help.