Group Dynamics: Social Loafing and Groupthink

Evaluation Apprehension

The concern about being evaluated by others, which can affect performance.

Social Loafing

The reduction in motivation and effort when individuals work collectively compared to when they work individually.

Ringelmann Effect

The tendency for individual members of a group to become less productive as the size of their group increases.

Social Facilitation

When individual performance is evaluated, leading to higher arousal and improved performance.

Group Polarization

The tendency for the decisions & attitudes of groups to be more extreme than those of individuals.

Informational Social Influence

When a group gets together, there's an initial preferred opinion, and group discussion leads to more exposure to persuasive arguments in favor of that opinion.

Normative Social Influence

Comparing our own attitudes to the rest of the group's, leading us to take a more extreme position for acceptance.

Groupthink

When consensus within the group is so encouraged that alternative courses of action are not considered, leading to faulty decision-making.

Symptoms of Groupthink

Characteristics such as illusion of invulnerability, direct pressure on dissenters, and collective rationalization that indicate groupthink.

Deindividuation

A reduced sense of individual identity that can occur in a large group, leading to uncharacteristic behavior.

Individuation

Focusing attention on the self and being more self-aware, which can reduce behaviors like cheating.

High Group Cohesiveness

A condition where group members are strongly bonded, which can contribute to groupthink.

Isolation

A situation where a group is cut off from outside influences, increasing the risk of groupthink.

Strong and Directive Leadership

Leadership that strongly influences group consensus, often leading to groupthink.

Stressful Situation

A context that can exacerbate groupthink by pushing members to conform for resolution.

Bay of Pigs Invasion, 1961

An operation where 1400 Cuban exiles were killed or captured, highlighting the consequences of groupthink.

Illusion of Invulnerability

A symptom of groupthink where the group ignores danger and takes extreme risks.

Direct Pressure on Dissenters

A symptom of groupthink where dissenting opinions are pressured to conform.

Illusion of Unanimity

A symptom of groupthink where silence is interpreted as agreement.

Self-Censorship of Dissenters

A symptom of groupthink where individuals suppress their own dissenting opinions.

Stereotypes of Outgroups

A symptom of groupthink where outgroup members are viewed as weak or evil.

Collective Rationalization

A symptom of groupthink where warnings or concerns are discredited and explained away.

Belief in Own Group's Moral Rightness

A symptom of groupthink where group members believe their decisions are morally superior.

Self-Appointed Mind-Guards

A symptom of groupthink where individuals protect the group from adverse information.