Chapter 8 Textbook

Group

consists of several interdependent people who have emotional ties and interact on a daily basis

Interdependent

members depend on eachother to achieve group goals, events that affect 1 member affect others

Why people join groups

to accomplish task oriented goals, for social and emotional needs

Socioemotional groups

friendship + family groups, emotionally support members

Temporal model of group membership

theory of group membership describing the changes that occur over time in members and in the group due to their mutual influence and interdependence

Processes that bring people in/out of groups

1. ongoing evaluations (of group + individuals)

2. feelings of commitment (from evaluations)

3. role transitions

Evaluation during group membership involves

1. degree to which an individual meets group needs

2. degree to which a group meets individual needs

Phases of group membership

1. investigation

2. socialization

3. maintenance

4. resocialization

5. remembrance

Investigation

group membership phase

• seeking people/groups that will help attain goals

Socialization

group membership phase

• group attempts to shape thinking/behavior of new members for maximum benefit

Maintenance

group membership phase

• group defines specialized roles for members

• identify full vs marginal members

Resocialization

group membership phase

• both parties try to persuade other to meet expectations

Remembrance

group membership phase

• group develops consensus about ex member contributionss, ex member thinks about costs/benefits of group membership

Group Structure

the regular, stable patterns of behavior between members of a group

Influence group structure

• social norms - increase conformity

• social roles - may be “imported” between groups

• status systems

Status Systems

distribution of power among group members

Expectation status theory

theory that development of group status is based on member’s expectations of other’s probable contributions to achievement of group goals

• expectations based on: task relevant characteristics, diffuse status characteristics

• higher status = better self esteem, liking, more easily forgiven

Task relevant characteristics

social skills, past experience

Diffuse status characteristics

race, gender, age, socioeconomic status

Large groups and social loafing

members become less group focused because they feel personal impact is smaller

Gossip

• strengthens group norms, helps group members bond

• focus more on negative gossip

Social faciliation

enhancement of dominant responses due to presence of others

Evaluation apprehension explanation

arousal results from concerns of being judged

Distraction conflict explanation

when working on tasks in presence of others, experience conflict between attending to others vs task = arousal

Social Loafing

group induced reduction in individual output when performer’s efforts are pooled and cannot be individually judged

Ostracism

singling out group members for deliberate disrespect

Deindividuation

loss of a sense of individual identity and a loosening of normal inhibitions against engaging in behavior that is inconsistent with internal standards

• based in anonymity, arousal, diffused responsibility

• reduces self awareness - less adherence to personal standards

Accountability Cues

tell how far someone can go without being held responsible for actions

Group decision making

1. orientation

2. discussion

3. decision

4. implementation

Intellective Issues

problems that have demonstratively correct solutions

• informational influence

Judgmental Issues

involve behavioral, ethical, other judgements

• normative influence

Group decision rules

number of group members that agree before position is adopted

• unanimity

• majority wins

• plurality wins

Group Polarization

group produced enhancement or exaggeration of members initial attitudes through discussion

• occurs more on important issues

Dynamic social impact

people become organized into social clusters where they collectively reinforce similarly held attitudes, beliefs, views

Social comparison perspective (of group polarization)

we are motivated to self evaluate, realize we are not as extreme in “socially" valued” perspective as others, shift to more extreme so people will positively evaluate us

Persuasive argument perspective (of group polarization)

group discussion driven by desire to arrive at correct solution, hearing more arguments in favor of own views makes position seem more extreme

Groupthink

deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, moral judgement in a group that results from excessive desire to reach consensus

• extreme form of group polarization

Contributing factors to groupthink

1. high group cohesiveness

2. threatening situational context

3. structural and procedural faults

Symptoms of groupthink

1. overestimation of ingroup

2. close mindedness

3. increased conformity pressure

How to prevent groupthink

• improve decision making procedures during orientation

• have strongly identified members - more likely to dissent

• diversity in group

Leader

person who exerts the most influence, provides direction + energy to group

Task Leadership

accomplish group goals

Socioemotional Leadership

attention to emotional + interpersonal aspects of group interaction

Contingency Model

theory that leadership effectiveness depends both on whether leaders are task vs relationship oriented and degree to which they have situational control

Situational control based on

1. leader’s relations with group

2. task structure

3. leader’s power position

Predicting leader effectiveness

• low situational control - task oriented better

• high situational control - relationship oriented better

• flexible leadership style - highest leadership rating

Transformational Leader

leader who transforms the outlook and behavior of followers so they move beyond self interests for good of society

Authoritarian Leader

leader who dictates group policies, procedures, goals, and controls all activities without meaningful participation from others

Social Dilemma

any situation in which the most rewarding short term choice for an individual will ultimately cause negative consequences for the group

Social value orientation

a person’s rules specifying how outcomes or resources should be divided between oneself and others

Ways to resolve social dilemmas

• promote cooperative behavior

• education

• group identity formation

• promoting group decision

Cooperative Orientation

desire to maximize joint gains

Individualistic Orientation

desire to maximize own well being

Competitive Orientation

desire to outdo others