7A - Social groups and culture

What is a group?

Two or more people who interact and influence each other and share a common goal.

In-groups

A group that an individual belongs to or identifies with

Out-groups

A group than an individual does not belong or identify with

What is a norm

A standard, value or rule that outlines an appropriate behaviour or experience.

Formal group norms

Explicitly outlined rules or regulations.

Informal group norms

Not explicitly outlined rules or regulations, are instead, inferred, often through consequences.

Social loafing

An individuals reduction in effort when work is performed in a group as compared to individually, due to the belief that others will put in the effort.

Factors that promote social loafing

Individuals are more likely to loaf whilst completing group tasks they they consider to be easy, compared to more difficult tasks. Individuals are more likely to engage in social loafing if they don’t personally identify with the task.

Factors that prevent social loafing

Clear indications of individual efforts within a group. Group interaction; the more that a group interacts during task completion, the less likely individuals are to loaf.

Social identity theory

The tendency for people to favour their in-group over an out-group in order to enhance their sense of self-esteem.

Culture

The customs, behaviours and values of a particular group in society

Individualistic cultures

A culture that prioritises the needs and goals of individuals and values independence

Collectivist cultures

A culture that prioritises the needs and goals of groups