Social Influence and Group Dynamics

These flashcards cover key concepts related to social influence, group dynamics, and decision-making processes.

Social influence

The exercise of social power to change the attitudes or behaviors of others in a particular direction.

Conformity

Yielding to perceived group pressure.

Compliance

Publicly acting in accord with a direct request.

Obedience

Performance of an action in response to a direct order from an authority figure.

Normative influence

Conforming to go along with the group to gain rewards or avoid punishment; internal perception does not change.

Informational influence

Conforming because the group has better or more information, leading to a change in internal perception.

Self-awareness and conformity

Public self-awareness increases it, while private self-awareness decreases it.

Stanford Prison Experiment

A study debunked for lack of scientific rigor, with issues like lack of controls and selective reporting of data.

Norm of reciprocity

The expectation that if people receive a benefit, they will feel pressure to comply with a later request.

Foot-in-the-door technique

A small request followed by a bigger request; works through self-image.

Door-in-the-face technique

A large, unreasonable request followed by a smaller request; works through feelings of obligation.

That's-not-all technique

An unreasonable offer immediately paired with a bonus to increase compliance.

Lowballing

Setting a low initial cost for a request, then increasing it; individuals feel committed.

Milgram's obedience study

Demonstrated that a high percentage of participants would obey authority figures, even against their morals.

Group cohesiveness

The degree to which group members are attracted to each other and motivated to stay in the group.

Social loafing

When individuals contribute less in a group effort than when working alone.

Deindividuation

Reduced self-awareness in group settings, leading to increased conformity to group norms.

Groupthink

A phenomenon where cohesive groups make flawed decisions due to pressure to conform.

Leadership

The ability to influence and guide individuals or groups.

Social dilemma

A situation in which individual self-interest conflicts with collective well-being.

Problem of the Commons

Overusing shared resources for personal gain, depleting them.

Free Rider Problem

Benefiting from group efforts without contributing one's fair share.

Prisoner’s Dilemma

Mutual cooperation is beneficial, but fear of betrayal leads individuals to act selfishly.

situational factors that influence conformity

group size, clarity of reality, ambiguity of reality, relevance, unanimity, ostracism

personal factors that influence conformity

self-awareness, self-presentation, and cultural upbringing

Two ways to decrease obedience to destructive authority

Voicing firm objections early and being in the presence of someone who objected

group

several interdependent people who have emotional ties and interact regularly

The three common elements of social cohesiveness

group size (too big can create strain), member similarity/diversity (large differences can cause strain), and perceived change of group norms (changing values or identity can lead to disengagement)

The five phases of group membership

investigation, socialization, maintenance, resocialization, and remembrance

effects of deindividuation

excitement, diffusion of responsibility, feelings of anonymity, reduced concern for social evaluation, decreased self-awareness, increased awareness of group norms and goals, and both antisocial and prosocial behaviors.

causes of groupthink

high group cohesiveness, threatening external context, and structural problems

symptoms of groupthink

overestimation of the group, closed-mindedness, and pressure toward uniformity

how social dilemmas can be resolved

promote cooperative behavior, education, making group identification salient, and group discussion