Social Psychology: Group Dynamics

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Questions and Answers

What is the main cause of social loafing in group tasks?

Individual performance is unmonitored. (correct)

Members feel their contributions are crucial.

The group is highly cohesive.

Tasks are always cooperative.

Which of the following strategies can help reduce social loafing?

Promoting individual anonymity in contributions.

Dividing larger groups into smaller subgroups. (correct)

Creating unclear task assignments.

Encouraging members to compete against each other.

What is group polarization?

Discussions leading to more extreme positions among members. (correct)

Members adopting less extreme views after discussions.

Increased collaboration among group members.

A decrease in group performance during decision making.

How does group cohesiveness influence group performance?

It can enhance group performance and satisfaction. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common result of high social loafing in group tasks?

Decreased overall effort from group members. Signup and view all the answers

Which benefit of groups is considered essential for survival and reproduction?

Collaboration and social interaction. Signup and view all the answers

What can be a consequence of group discussions according to the principle of group polarization?

Adoption of more extreme positions. Signup and view all the answers

What is one effective way to mitigate the effects of social loafing?

Assigning specific roles and responsibilities. Signup and view all the answers

What psychological effect can occur due to isolation, as highlighted by Todd Ashker's experience?

Severe psychological effects Signup and view all the answers

In the M&M's Sharing Scenario, what ethical dilemma do the group members face?

Choosing individual survival over group survival Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes deindividuation?

Loss of self-awareness and personal accountability in groups Signup and view all the answers

What is one negative consequence of group polarization?

Reinforcement of extreme opinions and behaviors Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario exemplifies the 'dark side' of group dynamics?

Losing individual identity for group harmony Signup and view all the answers

How can mirrors influence behavior in group settings, as demonstrated in the Trick-or-Treaters Study?

They enhance self-awareness, leading to reduced stealing. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of group collaboration?

Diverse perspectives leading to better decision-making Signup and view all the answers

What is a common outcome of social loafing in group tasks?

Reduction in individual effort when contributing as part of a group Signup and view all the answers

What does social loafing refer to in a group setting?

The tendency to exert less effort when individual contributions are not monitored Signup and view all the answers

What is groupthink primarily characterized by?

Faulty thinking due to social pressures for consensus Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes group polarization?

The tendency for group discussions to strengthen a group's leaning in one direction Signup and view all the answers

How does social cohesiveness affect group decision-making?

It can lead to compromised decision quality due to pressure for unanimity. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential benefit of group collaboration?

Pooling of diverse perspectives and skills Signup and view all the answers

What is evaluation apprehension?

An increased arousal that can affect performance based on potential judgment Signup and view all the answers

In the context of social hierarchy, low-power individuals are more likely to:

Remain passive and avoid confrontation Signup and view all the answers

How does deindividuation affect behavior in large groups?

It reduces individual identity and self-restraint. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The presence of others can either enhance or impair performance depending on the task's familiarity.

Occurs when individuals in a group task don't feel their contributions are essential or can't be individually assessed.
This leads to reduced effort compared to when they work alone.
Example: Moving a couch with friends, individuals may exert less effort and rely on others to carry more weight because individual contributions are not monitored.

Create clear assignments.
Divide into subgroups.
Increase supervision.
Provide individual recognition.
Make tasks cooperative.

Group Polarization

Occurs when group discussions lead members to adopt more extreme positions they initially held.
This is due to persuasive arguments presented during discussions and the tendency for individuals to compare themselves with others and adopt more extreme stances to stand out.

Group Cohesiveness

Refers to the qualities that bind members together and promote liking among them.
Can enhance group performance and satisfaction.

Benefits of Groups

Essential for survival and reproduction.
Offers various benefits that are crucial for the well-being and continuity of species.
Example: Todd Ashker, a convicted murderer, spent over 20 years in solitary confinement. He formed a group with rival gang leaders to cope with the isolation, demonstrating the human need for social connection.

Requires individuals to balance personal gain against the well-being of the group, often leading to ethical and moral considerations.
Example: After a plane crash, a group member remembers that they have a limited resource (M&M's) and must decide whether to share it for group survival or keep it for individual survival.

"Dark Side" of Groups

Can lead to negative behaviors such as losing individual identity and making poor decisions to maintain group harmony.

Deindividuation

Occurs when individuals are in large groups and feel anonymous, leading to a loss of self-awareness and personal responsibility.
This can result in behavior that is not aligned with their usual values, as they feel they cannot be identified or held accountable.
Example: Children wearing masks were more likely to steal extra candy compared to those not wearing masks. Masks provided anonymity, reducing self-awareness and increasing the likelihood of stealing.

Key Terms

Dominant Response: In a person's hierarchy of possible responses in any context, that person is most likely to make.
Evaluation Apprehension: Being judged by others increases arousal, which can enhance performance on simple tasks and impair it on complex tasks.
Social Loafing: The tendency to exert less effort when working on a group task in which individual contributions cannot be monitored.
Groupthink: Faulty thinking by members of highly cohesive groups in which critical scrutiny that people should be devoted to the issues at hand is subverted by social pressures to reach consensus.
Self-censorship: Withholding information or opinions in group discussions.
Group Polarization: The tendency for group decisions to be more extreme than those made by individuals.
Power: The ability to control one's own outcomes and those of others.
Social Hierarchy: The arrangement of individuals in a group in terms of their relative power.
Approach Inhibition Theory: A theory that maintains that high-power individuals are inclined to pursue their goals and make quick judgments, whereas low-power individuals are more likely to constrain their behavior and pay careful attention to others.
Deindividuation: A reduced sense of individual identity accompanied by diminished self-regulation can come over people when they are in a large group.

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Description

Explore key concepts in social psychology, including social facilitation, social loafing, group polarization, and cohesiveness. Understand how the presence of others impacts individual performance and group behavior. This quiz will test your knowledge on effective strategies to enhance group productivity and cohesion.