Exam Review: Social Influence and Group Dynamics

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key concepts from Chapters 8 to 11, focusing on social influence, group dynamics, love, relationships, and prosocial behavior.

conformity

Changing one’s behavior due to the real or imagined influence of others. It often occurs in group settings and can result from social pressure or the desire for acceptance.

informational social influence

Conforming because we believe that others’ interpretation of an ambiguous situation is accurate. This occurs in situations where individuals rely on the information provided by others to guide their own behavior or understanding.

public compliance.

Conforming publicly without necessarily believing in what the group is doing. This occurs when an individual outwardly expresses agreement with a group's beliefs or behaviors but privately maintains their own opinions.

social norms

Implicit (and sometimes explicit) rules for acceptable behaviors, values, and beliefs. Explicit and implicit guidelines that govern appropriate behavior, attitudes, and beliefs within a group or society.

normative social influence

Conforming to be liked and accepted by others. This type of influence arises from the desire to fit in and gain approval.

social impact theory

We conform to social media based on the group's importance, immediacy, and size. Social impact theory suggests that conformity is influenced by the importance of the group, the immediacy of the group's presence, and the size of the group.

idiosyncrasy credits

Tolerance a person earns after conforming, allowing them to deviate from the group without repercussions. These credits are built up over time and enable individuals to maintain their social standing within the group despite occasional nonconformity.

minority influence.

When a minority has influence on the behavior or opinion of the majority. This occurs when a smaller group affects the beliefs or behaviors of a larger group, often through consistent and confident advocacy of their position.

injunctive norms

People’s perceptions of behaviors that are approved or disapproved by others. Injunctive norms are social standards that influence behavior based on what is perceived as acceptable or unacceptable by a group.

descriptive norms.

Perceptions of how people actually behave in a given situation. These norms reflect typical behavior and can influence actions.

foot-in-the-door technique

Getting someone to agree to a small request makes them more likely to agree to a larger request later.

door-in-the-face technique

making a large initial request that is expected to be refused, which increases the likelihood of compliance with a subsequent smaller request. A compliance strategy that involves starting with a large request that is likely to be rejected and then following up with a smaller, more reasonable request.

propaganda

deliberate and systematic efforts to influence perceptions and behaviors, often using misleading information or emotional messages. Propaganda is often used to promote a particular political agenda or ideology.

obedience

change in behavior that occurs in response to the commands or influence of an authority figure. It often involves compliance with orders, directives, or rules.

group cohesiveness

Qualities of a group that bind its members together and promote mutual liking. It enhances group performance and satisfaction.

social facilitation

presence of others can enhance performance on simple tasks while potentially hindering performance on more complex tasks. Social facilitation occurs when the presence of others improves an individual's performance on straightforward tasks, but may decrease performance on tasks that require more complex cognitive effort.

social loafing.

tendency of individuals to put forth less effort when they are part of a group, particularly because their individual contributions are not directly evaluated. This phenomenon often occurs in larger groups where responsibility is diffused among members.

deindividuation

individuals lose self-awareness and feel less accountable for their actions in situations where they cannot be identified. This often occurs in group settings or crowds, leading to behaviors that individuals might not typically display alone.

groupthink

Agree with everyone in order to keep the group together. No one is against.

group polarization

group discussions lead to decisions that are more extreme than the initial positions of the individual members. This occurs as members reinforce each other's views, resulting in more radical outcomes.

great person theory of leadership

inherent personality traits make certain individuals effective leaders regardless of the specific context. This theory suggests that specific qualities, like charisma and intelligence, are crucial for leadership success.

transformational leadership

ability to inspire and motivate followers to work towards shared long-term goals. This leadership style focuses on fostering change and encouraging personal and professional growth among team members.

social dilemma

a situation in which the individual’s best option leads to negative consequences for the group as a whole. Social dilemmas often arise in scenarios involving public goods or shared resources.

tit-for-tat strategy

starting with a cooperative action and then mirroring the opponent's last action, promoting mutual cooperation. This strategy is commonly used in game theory and social situations to encourage cooperation between parties by responding in kind to their actions.

negotiation

communication between opposing parties, characterized by the exchange of offers and counteroffers, with the goal of reaching a mutually acceptable agreement. This process often involves compromise and communication to resolve conflicts or disputes.

propinquity effect

increased interaction and familiarity with others can lead to the development of friendships. This phenomenon highlights how physical proximity and repeated exposure to someone can enhance attraction and social ties.

mere exposure effect

people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them due to repeated exposure. This phenomenon occurs in social contexts where increased exposure to a person, object, or idea often leads to a positive feeling or attraction.

companionate love.

feelings of intimacy and affection without the elements of passion or physical arousal. It is characterized by deep emotional bonds and a commitment to maintaining a relationship.

characteristics of passionate love

intense longing and physiological arousal towards another person. It often involves emotional extremes and a desire for intimacy.

attachment styles

expectations about relationships that develop based on experiences with primary caregivers during infancy. They influence how individuals approach relationships in adulthood, including patterns of intimacy and trust.

secure attachment style

trusting approach to relationships and a lack of concern about being abandoned. It allows for positive emotional connections and encourages healthy communication.

avoidant attachment style

difficulties in forming intimate relationships, often stemming from past negative experiences or rebuffs. A tendency to distance oneself emotionally in relationships, often resulting in a reluctance to depend on others.

anxious/ambivalent attachment style

person's concern that others may not reciprocate their desire for intimacy, which often results in feelings of anxiety. They may become overly preoccupied with the relationship and display clingy behavior.

social exchange theory

individuals evaluate their relationships based on the perceived rewards and costs, as well as the alternatives available to them. This theory posits that people seek to maximize their benefits while minimizing their costs in relationships.

comparison level

rewards and costs in a relationship compared to individuals' expectations of what they believe they deserve. It influences relationship satisfaction by establishing a standard for evaluation.

investment model

commitment in a relationship is influenced not only by satisfaction but also by the amount that has been invested in the relationship.This includes time, effort, and resources that individuals have put into the relationship, which can affect their decision to stay or leave.

equity theory

individuals feel more satisfied in a relationship when the ratio of their inputs (costs) to outputs (rewards) is balanced compared to others. In essence, equity theory suggests that fairness in exchanges is crucial for relationship satisfaction, where perceived equity leads to greater contentment.

communal relationships

prioritize mutual support and emotional connection over direct exchanges or keeping score. These relationships are characterized by a focus on the well-being of the other person, fostering a sense of belonging and care without calculating individual contributions or benefits.

prosocial behavior

any act performed with the intention of helping or benefiting another individual. Prosocial behavior encompasses a wide range of actions, including altruism, cooperation, and kindness, reflecting a commitment to the welfare of others.

altruism

selfless concern for the well-being of others, where an individual acts to benefit another person even at a personal cost. This behavior is motivated by a desire to help, often without expectation of any reward or benefit in return.

kin selection

evolutionary strategy that favors behaviors which assist relatives, thereby increasing the chances of shared genetic material being passed on to future generations. This concept suggests that altruistic behaviors can evolve when the recipient shares a proportion of common genes.

norm of reciprocity

social expectation that when one person helps another, that individual may feel compelled to return the favor in the future. This principle suggests that prosocial behavior creates a mutual exchange of benefits within social interactions.

empathy-altruism hypothesis

experiencing empathy towards others motivates individuals to assist them out of altruistic intentions. This hypothesis suggests that when we feel empathy for someone in need, we are more likely to help them without expecting anything in return.

altruistic personality

qualities that motivate an individual to help others in different situation sand exhibit selflessness, often prioritizing the needs of others above their own. An altruistic personality is characterized by traits such as compassion, empathy, and a strong sense of social responsibility, driving individuals to engage in helping behaviors without expecting rewards.

in-groups

Groups with which individuals identify as members. They provide a sense of belonging and influence social interactions.

out-groups

Groups with which individuals do not identify. These groups may be viewed as different or outside of one's own social group, often leading to bias or discrimination.

urban overload hypothesis

People in urban areas may keep to themselves due to overwhelming stimuli. and less likely to help. This hypothesis suggests that the high density and constant stimulation in urban environments can lead to individuals becoming socially withdrawn or indifferent to others' needs.

bystander effect

people are less likely to help if there are more people around. This phenomenon occurs because individuals assume someone else will take action, leading to a diffusion of responsibility.

pluralistic ignorance

situation where individuals believe that others have a different understanding of a situation than they do. This can lead to inaction, as everyone assumes someone else will act.

diffusion of responsibility

individuals in a group may feel less personal responsibility to act, as they assume others will take action. This phenomenon occurs when a large group is present, leading to a decreased sense of urgency or accountability among individuals.

empathy

understanding and sharing the feelings of another person by imagining oneself in their situation. It plays a crucial role in fostering connections and promoting prosocial behavior.