PSYC315 Lecture Notes: The Reality of Groups

Flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on groups, belonging, group dynamics, stereotypes, and political aspects of social psychology.

What is stated about the political nature of psychology and social psychology in the notes?

All psychology has political ramifications; social psychology is described as very left-leaning or humanitarian.

Why is belonging considered essential for survival in the notes?

Without someone to love us, we cannot survive.

How do groups form and persist according to the notes?

We form groups easily, we like people who are similar, and we do not want to leave groups; sometimes we stay even when the experience is negative.

What extreme example illustrates the power of belonging in the notes?

Some people would choose to be killed in concentration camps to be with the people they love.

What is the relationship between belonging and longevity?

Being in groups and accepted by others is associated with living longer.

How is social pain described in relation to physical pain?

Social pain activates the same brain regions as physical pain; painkillers can affect social pain when socially rejected.

What link is made between loneliness and Alzheimer's progression?

Progression of Alzheimer's is linked to having no friends; people who are alone tend to progress faster.

Which theorists are cited and what do they propose about groups?

Sherif and Sherif described a family with norms; Myers described interpersonal influence; Lewin defined a group as those with a common fate.

What caveat is given about group membership and acceptance?

Identifying with a group does not guarantee acceptance by others; context matters for whether membership is acknowledged.

How are stereotypes and prejudice connected in the notes?

Prejudice is explained by stereotypes; examples include police perceptions and the self-fulfilling prophecy that results when groups are treated as dangerous.

What statistic about medical students is mentioned regarding skin color?

60% of US medical students reportedly believe there is a difference between white and black skin, reflecting stereotype-driven beliefs.

What is 'group mind' and what does it imply about behavior in groups?

Group mind proposes that behavior in groups can be strange or irrational; crowds influence decisions, though evidence varies.

What do the notes say about gender identity and its political status?

Many points about gender membership have become political rather than about the reality of identity; acceptance by others affects perceived validity.

Is there more to a group than the personalities that compose it?

Yes, questions are raised about whether groups have properties beyond the sum of their members; identity and dynamics can go beyond individual traits.

What historical concept related to groups originated from fascism critiques and what did it claim?

The 'group mind' idea arose as a critique of fascist thinking, suggesting crowds can behave irrationally, though evidence is mixed and context matters.

How does group membership interact with recognition and everyday interactions across different kinds of groups?

You can belong to a group even if you don't know all members, and shared membership affects how you interact within both small face-to-face groups and larger categories like race or gender.

What is a fundamental characteristic of social psychology according to the notes?

It is described as very left-leaning or humanitarian.

What is a universal truth about all psychology regarding its implications?

All psychology has political ramifications.

Why is belonging considered crucial for human existence?

Without someone to love us, we cannot survive.

According to the notes, what is a primary aspect of how humans interact regarding group formation?

We form groups easily.

What personal characteristic is often a basis for liking others within group contexts?

We like people who are similar.

What is a common human tendency regarding existing group affiliations, even under negative circumstances?

We do not want to leave groups; sometimes we stay even when the experience is negative.

What extreme historical example highlights the profound power of belonging?

Some people would choose to be killed in concentration camps to be with the people they love.

How does active group participation and social acceptance correlate with human lifespan?

Being in groups and accepted by others is associated with living longer.

What scientific finding suggests a neurological similarity between social pain and physical injury?

Social pain activates the same brain regions as physical pain.

What effect can common pain relievers have on emotional discomfort like social rejection?

Painkillers can affect social pain when socially rejected.

What social factor is explicitly linked to the progression speed of Alzheimer's disease?

Progression of Alzheimer's is linked to having no friends; people who are alone tend to progress faster.

Who are Sherif and Sherif cited for describing in relation to groups?

They described a family with norms.

Which theorist is associated with the concept of interpersonal influence in the context of groups?

Myers.

How did Lewin define a group?

As those with a common fate.

What does identifying with a group not inherently guarantee?

Acceptance by others.

What environmental factor is crucial for determining if group membership is recognized?

Context matters for whether membership is acknowledged.

How does the note explain the relationship between prejudice and stereotypes?

Prejudice is explained by stereotypes.

What specific type of perception is given as an example of how stereotypes can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies?

Police perceptions of groups, leading to their treatment as dangerous.

What is the reported percentage of US medical students who hold a belief about inherent skin color differences between white and black individuals?

60%.

What concept in psychology suggests that collective behavior can deviate from rationality?

'Group mind.'

What does the 'group mind' theory imply about the behavior of individuals within a crowd?

Behavior in groups can be strange or irrational.

According to the notes, how do crowds generally affect individual decision-making?

Crowds influence decisions, though evidence varies.

How are many discussions about gender membership characterized in the notes, beyond purely identity-based discussions?

As having become political rather than about the reality of identity.

What external factor significantly impacts the perceived validity of an individual's gender identity?

Acceptance by others.

Do groups possess characteristics or phenomena that transcend the sum of their individual members' personalities?

Yes, questions are raised about whether groups have properties beyond the sum of their members.

Beyond individual traits, what aspects contribute to a group's unique identity and dynamics?

Identity and dynamics can go beyond individual traits.

The idea of 'group mind' emerged as a criticism of what historical political ideology?

Fascist thinking.

What specific claim did the 'group mind' idea make about crowd behavior?

That crowds can behave irrationally.

Is it necessary to personally know every member of a group to belong to it?

No.

In what ways does shared group membership influence interactions, encompassing both intimate and broad social categories?

Shared membership affects how you interact within both small face-to-face groups and larger categories like race or gender.