Chapter 8: Group Influence

group

two or more people who, for longer than a few months, interact with an influence one another and perceive one another as ‘us’

social facilitation

the strengthening of dominant responses in the presence of others

evaluation apprehension

concern for how others are evaluating us

• also driven by distraction

social loafing

the tendency for people to exert less effort hen they pool their effort toward a common goal rather than when they are individually accountable

free riders

those who benefit from the group, but give little in return

deindividuation

a loss of self-awareness and evaluation apprehension

self-awareness

a self-conscious state in which attention focuses on oneself and makes people more sensitive to their own attitudes and dispositions

group polarization

group produced enhancement of members pre-existing tendencies

‘risky shift’ phenomenon

group and individual decisions tend to be riskier AFTER group discussion

accentuation effect

initial differences between groups of college students increase over time

informational influence

results from accepting evidence about reality

normative influence

based on a persons desire to be accepted or admired by others

social comparison

evaluating ones opinions and abilities by comparing oneself with others

pluralistic ignorance

a false impression of what most other people are thinking or feeling, or how they are responding

groupthink

when in groups, concurrence seeking becomes dominant that it overrides realistic appraisal of alternatives

illusion of invulnerability

excessive optimism

unquestioned belief in the groups morality

assume the morality of the group & ignore ethical/moral issues

rationalization

collectively justify their decisions

stereotyped view of opponent

consider enemies dumb/weak

conformity pressure

make fun of those who dissent

self-censorship

withhold dissent to avoid uncomfortable disagreement

illusion of unanimity

apparent consensus confirming groups decision

mind guards

some members protect group from information that would question the morality of their decision

consistency

minority sticks to its position

minority slowness effect

tendency for people with minority views to express those views less quickly

defections from majority

someone who changed from majority to minority is even more persuasive

leadership

the process by which certain group members motivate/guide the group

task leadership

organizes work, sets standards, and focuses on goals

social leadership

builds teamwork, mediates conflict, offers support

transformational leadership

enabled by a leaders vision & inspiration

• exerts significant influence