Unit4.4Key Concepts in Group Dynamics and Defense Mechanisms

Group Dynamics

Phenomena we observe when people interact.

Social facilitation

An increase in performance on a task that occurs from the presence of others.

Social inhibition

The presence of others decreases performance.

Social loafing

Reduced effort in a shared task.

Group polarization

A psychological phenomenon where a group's opinions become more extreme than the opinions held by individual members before the group discussion.

Dindividuation

The perceived loss of individuality and personal responsibility that can occur when someone participates as part of a group.

Altruism and helping behavior

Selfless sacrifice and empathetic response to the plight of others.

Bystander effect

Individuals are less likely to help someone in need when others are present.

Diffusion of responsibility

Individuals in a group feel less personal responsibility to take action or help in a situation, especially an emergency, because they believe others will take action.

False consensus

People believe their ideas and positions are more common than they actually are.

Social traps

People behave in ways that lead to negative outcomes, and once it starts, it's very hard to stop.

Superordinate goal

Objectives that require the cooperation of two or more parties, leading to improved relations and reduced conflict.

GRIT (Graduated and Reciprocated Initiatives in Tension-Reduction)

Strategy for resolving conflict by initiating small, conciliatory actions that encourage reciprocity and trust-building.

Burnout

When you're super tired and stressed because of too much work or pressure.

Equity Theory

About fairness. People want to feel like they're getting as much as they give at work.

Human Factors Research

Making things easy and safe for people to use.

Hawthorne effect

When workers are monitored, they're likely to work efficiently and more productively.

Repression

The process by which emotions that provoke too much anxiety are pushed into the unconscious.

Displacement

Directing anger from the source to a less threatening person or object.

Reaction formation

This defence mechanism occurs by the ego in where a person unconsciously expresses the opposite of their true, often unacceptable, feelings or desires.

Compensation

Making up for failures in one area through success in others.

Rationalization

Creating logical excuses for emotional or irrational behavior.

Regression

Reverting to childish behaviors.

Denial

Refusal to acknowledge or accept unwanted beliefs or actions.

Sublimation

Redirecting negative or aggressive feelings towards an outlet.

Projection

You attribute your own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else.

Basic anxiety

A fundamental feeling of insecurity, isolation, and helplessness in a potentially hostile world, stemming from inadequate nurturing or emotional neglect during childhood.

Persona

The mask the person presents to the outside world.

Shadow

Deep, passionate, inner person (including 'dark side').

Anima and Animus

Female and male sides of our personality.

The Self

Balances opposing factors and desires of the mind.

Personal unconscious

Individual experiences of repressed memories.

Collective unconscious

Memory common to all humans passed down from ancient ancestors till now.

Archetypes

Behaviors and memories in the collective unconscious.

Inferiority complex

A persistent feeling of inadequacy or worthlessness, often stemming from a belief that one is less capable, intelligent, or attractive than others.

Projective test

Ambiguous stimuli are open to interpretation.

Rorschach Inkblot Test

A projective test using inkblots.

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

A projective test that involves storytelling based on ambiguous images.

Inventory-type tests

Participants answer a standard series of questions (typical test).